'Enormous potential': Mauricio Pochettino says he's been blown away by 21-year-old Chelsea youngster
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has claimed that he has been very impressed with Ian Maatsen throughout the entire pre-season.
He told Football London that the versatility of the Dutchman is something which the boss believes can be huge for the club going forwards.
Last night saw Chelsea crowned champions of the Premier League Sumer Series, with Maatsen playing a big part in all three of their games against top-half opposition.
He built on his brace in the first game of the US tour against Wrexham, with three performances playing in completely different areas of the pitch.
Last night saw him feature at left-wing, with him already playing both other positions behind the striker in the manager’s system.
Pochettino happy with Maatsen
He is yet to play in his favoured left-back role, where there is plenty of competition for places. However, it would be fair to say he has jumped ahead of Marc Cucurella in the pecking order going into next season.
There had been reports that the Blues were still open to receiving a transfer fee for the 21-year-old, although Nottingham Forest have seemingly pulled out due to the money they were hoping for.
Now, Pochettino has claimed that he sees Maatsen as a player who can play a big part this season for him.
He said: “He has capacity to play in different areas and we can use in different positions. His performance did not change, that is what makes us very pleased. We see him with enormous potential for the club.”
It is unclear at this point if any of the four first-team options in the position will be sold or loaned this summer.
The most likely to meet that fate right now seems to be Lewis Hall, who had limited minutes handed to him during pre-season.
The post 'Enormous potential': Mauricio Pochettino says he's been blown away by 21-year-old Chelsea youngster appeared first on The Chelsea Chronicle.
from News – The Chelsea Chronicle https://ift.tt/QKlt5p8
Post a Comment