Ian Maatsen has opened up on his decision to leave Chelsea in January after impressing on loan at Borussia Dortmund.
The Dutchman has secured a regular role in the German side after arriving on loan in the winter window and is expected to start when Dortmund take on PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League this evening.
After returning from a loan spell at Burnley last season, Maatsen struggled to earn opportunities at Chelsea and believes a move to Dortmund was the best solution for all parties.
“The coach, the board, gave me a lot of confidence because they really wanted me,” Maatsen told The Guardian of his move to Dortmund.
“They put trust in me and I put trust in them. I think that’s why it went so well. I had trust at Chelsea but with the pressure they are under it is sometimes difficult for a manager to let everyone play – especially young talents with potential.
“He has to make decisions for the team. You have to deal with it as a young player. Sometimes it’s not fair but maybe it’s the best decision for the club and other teammates. I appreciate that. But I want to play football.”
Maatsen turned down a permanent exit from Chelsea last summer and revealed his intention was to remain in west London. However, after finding himself on the fringes of the first-team the 22-year-old sought an exit in January.
“My plan was to stay at Chelsea. I’d done my loan spells. I thought I was ready to compete for the big clubs. But sometimes football works like this. I didn’t get a lot of opportunities. It’s not the end of the world but you have to be ready. You always have to believe because football can go quickly.
“It was a big club where young players can develop,” he continued when discussing his move to Dortmund.
“They have had players like Bellingham, Hakimi, Dembélé. I am happy to be here. At Chelsea I trained at a high intensity. I kept believing that when my chance came I would take it. You want to play every game. It was just being patient. Don’t let your standards drop because if you do then you put yourself in a position where the coach says: ‘Maybe that is the reason why he doesn’t play. Everyone knows my quality. I have the chance to show it here.”
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