Chelsea facing Havertz mistake with £35m star who could sign for Man City
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Chelsea’s 2024/25 Season: A Fresh Start Under Enzo Maresca
The upcoming 2024/25 season holds significant promise for Chelsea following a strong finish to last season. Despite losing 11 of their 38 Premier League matches, the Blues secured European football, thanks to a brilliant run of five consecutive wins under Mauricio Pochettino, ultimately finishing sixth. However, despite this success, Pochettino was replaced by Enzo Maresca, who now carries the responsibility of leading Chelsea back to title contention and reclaiming their first Premier League title since the 2016/17 campaign.
Enzo Maresca’s Challenges
Maresca faces enormous expectations and will need to make critical decisions regarding the future of several first-team members. One of the key decisions revolves around the future of left-back Ian Maatsen, who impressed during a loan spell at Borussia Dortmund last season.
Ian Maatsen’s Impressive Loan Spell
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Journalist Graeme Bailey reports that Maatsen, who attracted interest from Aston Villa and Manchester City, had a successful stint at Dortmund, featuring in the Champions League final and scoring two goals with two assists in 16 appearances. With a £35 million release clause in his contract, Chelsea could make a substantial profit on the young Dutchman to improve their Financial Fair Play (FFP) status. However, Maresca cannot afford to let go of Maatsen, who has the potential to become a key player for Chelsea.
Avoiding Another Havertz Situation
Last summer, Chelsea sold Kai Havertz to rivals Arsenal for £60 million to boost their financial situation after significant spending at Stamford Bridge. Havertz thrived under Mikel Arteta, scoring 13 goals and providing seven assists in the Premier League, as Arsenal nearly clinched the title. Chelsea now faces a similar dilemma with Maatsen, especially with Manchester City expressing interest.
The Case for Keeping Maatsen
Despite having Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella as left-back options, Maatsen’s impressive performances at Dortmund indicate his readiness for first-team minutes. Dubbed “exceptional” by former Coventry City teammate Simon Moore, Maatsen has demonstrated his potential on the big stage and could continue to improve. Chelsea has a history of offloading young talents too soon, with Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah being prime examples of players who thrived elsewhere. Maatsen could be the next on that list if Chelsea decides to part ways with him this summer.
Maresca’s Bold Call
Maresca has the opportunity to change this trend by keeping Maatsen and making him his first-choice left-back. By doing so, he could allow the young Dutchman to reach his full potential and become a key player at Stamford Bridge. This bold decision could mark a new era for Chelsea under Maresca’s management, demonstrating a commitment to nurturing young talent and building a strong, cohesive team for the future.
In conclusion, while the temptation to sell Maatsen for financial gain is strong, Maresca must recognize the long-term benefits of keeping a player of his caliber. By doing so, he can ensure that Chelsea not only competes at the highest level but also creates a sustainable model for success.
