Man City, West Ham Expected To Lead Race For Chelsea Star In January

Manchester City and West Ham United are expected to lead the race to keep Ian Maatsen in the Premier League if his Chelsea future is still in doubt at the end of this year, sources have told TEAMtalk.

The attack-minded left-back was linked with Barcelona over the weekend and is one of the Blues’ only first-team figures with his contract starting to wind down, along with 39-year-old Thiago Silva.

Maatsen continues to impress the Chelsea fanbase when given chances in the team – but those opportunities are hard to come by, and will become even tougher as star names start to return to action.

Maatsen, 21, will be out of contract come the end of the season but even attempts at an extension feel in line with maintaining his value at this stage rather than any genuine intent for him in the first team.

The prospect of a new contract is still there, yet a pathway to becoming part of the starting eleven is believed to be very important to the Dutchman.

Maatsen’s two starts have come in the Carabao Cup this season. While he has made six Premier League appearances, all of them have come from the bench and have amounted to just 83 minutes, as per transfermarkt.