Transfer Centre

Ian Maatsen turns down Burnley return to stay at Chelsea

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 01 September 2023

Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen rejects the chance to rejoin Burnley on loan with a £31.5m obligation to buy in favour of staying at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea youngster Ian Maatsen rejected the chance to rejoin Burnley on transfer deadline day in favour of staying at Stamford Bridge.

The 21-year-old was a key figure for the Clarets under Vincent Kompany last season, scoring four goals and registering six assists in 42 games to help propel Burnley back into the Premier League.

Maatsen was subsequently given the chance to prove himself in pre-season under Mauricio Pochettino and impressed during the Blues' summer tour of the USA, scoring twice in a 5-0 win over Wrexham.

The left-back has since made three competitive appearances for Chelsea this season, earning his first Premier League minutes against Liverpool and starting against AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Cup in midweek.

However, with Maatsen still on the fringes of the first team, it was reported that Burnley had struck a deal to bring the Dutchman back to Turf Moor on loan with a £31.5m obligation to buy.

A reunion quickly collapsed, though, as journalist Matt Law claims that Maatsen opted to stay at Chelsea rather than return to Lancashire, despite the intense competition for places in West London.

Maatsen's temporary move to Burnley last year was his third loan spell away from Chelsea, who had previously sent him out to Coventry City and Charlton Athletic.

The 2002-born defender has made four appearances for the Blues since joining from PSV Eindhoven in 2018 and earned a call-up to the Netherlands squad for September's Euro 2024 qualifiers with Greece and the Republic of Ireland.