Ian Maatsen is a serious talent who could well be our left back for the next 10 years. And before people question his physical ability, Ashley Cole is arguably the best fullback in Premier League history, and his physical limitations never stopped him.
Comparing Ian Maatsen with other Chelsea Left Backs
Azpi came at 24. Same as Ashley Cole. They took several years to learn the craft before becoming world class defenders.
Ian Maatsen is 21. At his age, Azpi was still at Osasuna, moving to Marseille. It was three years before he moved to Chelsea.
Somehow people keep comparing players at their peak, who come in their best years, to youngsters, who have their first season in the top league.
As well, people keep forgetting that Ian Maatsen dominated in the Championship, which is one of the toughest leagues in the world while still being high level. Definitely more physically demanding than the Bundesliga or Premier League.
Analyzing Ian Maatsen’s Performance at Dortmund
If anyone actually watched the games, Maatsen isn’t really playing as a left back much. Can drops between the center backs, Maatsen moves to midfield, and then Ryerson bombs high on the right. Schlotterbeck does a lot of the hard “left back” defending when teams are hitting in transition.
I’ve said this multiple times, but it is early days in Dortmund; they have had a very weak schedule to start the new year. UCL is coming though, as well as the entire current top 7 (out of 18).
It’s way too soon to judge the hyperbole in this section. I think he is a good footballer; I don’t know if he is a good Premier League left back though yet. I think it would depend a lot on the team structure, not just step in and be a great LB anywhere.
Dortmund didn’t fork out $40 million for Hakimi, who I think was a lot more impressive at such a young age. Their club record is 35 million euros for Dembele; it’s just hard to imagine Ian Maatsen becoming their new record signing, especially because I don’t think Maatsen has the promise of a huge future profit margin.
There’s often a common factor in this scenario: your wide defender isn’t a great defender, and your center mid is intelligent and reliable but not the most mobile. When Rico Lewis plays for City, they utilize him the exact same way. The TAA for Liverpool nowadays is the same: a liability on defense but a fantastic passer of the ball, and so he steps into the center of the park.
None of these guys can really be traditional wingers and face up to real defenders, but when they are allowed to run from deeper and help create overloads, then they are fantastic in attacking positions.
I think Ian Maatsen has a lot of potential in this sense, but a great defender he is not. He’s better at counter pressing, but things get complicated when that press is broken.
He’s also still young, of course, which is why we can’t say for sure, but I just feel the need to jump in with my two cents as people are (as usual) going very overboard with some of these statements.
Should Chelsea keep Ian Maatsen?
For me, keep Ian Maatsen. All of our current options seem to have strengths and weaknesses. None are a ‘complete’ full back like Reece James and maybe Malo Gusto.
Ben Chilwell can finish a chance, cross ok, link up, etc., and bring some needed experience. But it can be weak in 1 vs. 1s. Almost like Marcos Alonso.
Levi Colwill, I’ve seen enough of it. The best attributes are composure and good passing out from the back. Obviously better at CB.
Marc Cucurella is a trier, doesn’t give up, is honest, and is a team player, and some people underestimate these attributes. I like him, but these attributes aren’t enough at the highest level. It’s like having Conor Gallagher at LB; he can be headless and prone to mistakes both at the back and attacking. But then he does have solid games at odd times.
Lewis Hall is gone and is not coming back.
Give Marc Cucurella some matches towards the end of the season to try to get his value up. Sell in the summer for anything over 70% of what CFC paid.
Go into next season with Ben Chilwell and Ian Maatsen. They both should get plenty of games, so it won’t be a wasted season for Ian Maatsen on the bench.