Ian Maatsen is finding it difficult to break into the Chelsea starting XI (Picture: Getty Images)
Barcelona are keen on Chelsea full-back Ian Maatsen, as the youngster continues to struggle in his fight to break into the starting XI at Stamford Bridge.
The 21-year-old has been with the Blues since 2018 but has spent the last three seasons on loan at Charlton, Coventry and most recently Burnley, shining in their promotion from the Championship.
The Clarets were keen to keep hold of him in their Premier League campaign and had a bid accepted by Chelsea, but the Dutchman turned down the move in the hope to prove his worth in west London.
Maatsen has been involved this season under Mauricio Pochettino, making six substitute appearances in the Premier League and two starts in the League Cup, but it is not quite what he had hoped for.
There is immense competition at left-back in Pochettino’s squad, with Maatsen struggling to leapfrog the likes of Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucurella and Levi Colwill.
Spanish publication Sport report that Barcelona are aware of Maatsen’s situation and that his contract at Chelsea expires in 2025 so the Blues will be keen to cash in on him next year.
Maatsen was in the Netherlands squad celebrating a late win over Greece on Monday (Picture: Getty Images)
Maatsen has not gone unnoticed on the international scene, earning a first call-up to the most recent Netherlands squad by Ronald Koeman.
He did not win a first cap in either of the matches against France or Greece, but will be buoyed to be involved, with hopes of making the squad for Euro 2024 next summer if the Dutch make it.
Virgil van Dijk’s late penalty securing a 1-0 win over Greece on Monday has put Koeman’s side in a great position to qualify and they will do barring a disaster against Republic of Ireland or Gibraltar.
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The 21-year-old is waiting for his first Premier League start.
