Ian Maatsen left Chelsea for Borussia Dortmund in the January transfer window.

The defender joined Dortmund on loan for the second half of the season and is absolutely thriving there.

Since arriving at Signal Iduna Park, Ian Maatsen has made 10 starts in the Bundesliga, scored one goal and provided two assists.

Under Mauricio Pochettino this term, the left-back only made one start in the Premier League, so things are obviously going much better for him in Germany.

Maatsen has now not ruled out signing for Dortmund permanently when his loan finishes at the end of the season.

Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images

Ian Maatsen explains Chelsea exit

Maatsen has been speaking about his move from Chelsea to Dortmund in a press conference while on international duty with the Netherlands U21s.

As relayed by NOS, the 22-year-old said: “I wanted to make a good move to get more minutes, and that has worked out well. Sometimes I don’t really dwell on the moment, but you could say it’s going like an express train at the moment.”

Maatsen has also claimed that he should be with the Netherlands senior squad right now instead of his country’s U21 side.

“I think I belong there,” the Chelsea loanee said. “Anyway, it is what it is. I just have to show that I am the best player here. There will probably come a time when the national manager will call me up.”

Are Chelsea going to sign someone to replace Ian Maatsen in the summer?

Given how his loan spell at Dortmund is going and the fact that he has a £35m release clause in his contract, it is almost certain that Maatsen is going to leave Chelsea permanently in the next transfer window.

That will leave Pochettino with Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucurella and Levi Colwill for the left-back position going into the 2024/25 season.

On paper, that looks like more than enough, but the problem is Chilwell and his fitness. The Englishman has just not been able to remain fit this term.

Whatever the case, Chelsea seem to be ready to enter the transfer market to replace Maatsen. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues are already looking at players for the left-back position in case they do sell the Dutchman.

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Rayan Ait-Nouri could be one option for Chelsea. He has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, though journalist Ben Jacobs thinks it is too early to tell whether they will actually make a move for him.

Perhaps they should, however, as at this rate, it is a huge gamble to go into the 2024/25 campaign relying on Chilwell.