"We'll bite their hands off" - Aston Villa legend believes Chelsea will regret selling Ian Maatsen in the summer transfer window
Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor reckons Chelsea could regret parting with Ian Maatsen. The Dutch left-back is reportedly leaving Stamford Bridge to join Villa this summer.
Maatsen, 22, never quite got going at the Blues, failing to score in 16 games across competitions. He spent the second half of the 2023-24 season at Borussia Dortmund, bagging three goals and two assists in 23 games across competitions.
talkSPORT has reported that Villa have sealed a deal worth £35 million to snap up Maatsen when the transfer window reopens. The reported move seemingly has Agbonlahor's seal of approval as he said:
"100% (Chelsea would regret selling him). I get why they are letting him go, £35-40 million, they've already got Marc Cucurella, they've got Ben Chilwell; they don't need another left-back. But he could end up being better than both.
"Young age of 22, we'll bite their hands off. He's a player who's going to play every week, six year deal, Aston Villa are going to start doing that as well with youngsters, getting them signed up long term."
He concluded:
"So I think it's one that Chelsea will regret and one that Aston Villa fans are going to love. He'll start and then it wouldn't surprise me if Lucas Digne moves on and Alex Moreno is the back-up left back.
Maatsen is currently on international duty with the Netherlands at Euro 2024. He was an unused substitute in their 2-1 opening win over Poland earlier this week.
What else did Gabby Agbonlahor say about Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen?
Aston Villa are set to play UEFA Champions League football for the first time next season. Agbonlahor is excited at his former club's progress and their reported new signing Ian Maatsen's exploits on loan at Dortmund.
The 22-year-old was a late call-up to Ronald Koeman's Oranje squad for the 2024 European Championship, getting called up while he was on holiday. Agbnonlahor continued in the aforementioned interview:
"Now that Aston Villa have gone to the next level, Champions League football, the way we play our high line, we have to have quick defenders. You know, Matty Cash, great player. Digne, Moreno, great players. But they haven't got the pace.
"And you look at Maatsen, look at what he's done for Dortmund last season, 22-years old, I think he was on holiday and got called back into the Dutch team. He's going to have a lot of Villa fans eyes on him now.
The Chelsea full-back will hope to make a mark at Euro 2024 ahead of a potential new adventure in club football.