'Hasn't trained for two days': Mauricio Pochettino confirms he won't start 21-year-old Chelsea player in FA Cup
Chelsea youngster Ian Maatsen won’t be picked in Chelsea’s starting line-up on Saturday evening against Preston.
That has been confirmed by Blues head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Chelsea host Championship side Preston later today in an FA Cup third-round tie at Stamford Bridge.
On paper, Ian Maatsen is the type of player we would love to see start this game because he doesn’t get regular minutes in the Premier League.
However, the 21-year-old’s only going to be fit enough for the bench this weekend.
Pochettino said in yesterday’s pre-match press conference that Maatsen’s skipped some training earlier this week because of a problem with his back. Therefore, the Dutch wide man isn’t in his thoughts for the staring XI versus Preston, but he’ll be in the matchday squad.
Pochettino shared via Fooball.London: “He (Maatsen) was injured during the week and could not train. Yes, problems in his back. Now he came back in training and will be involved in the squad, not play [from the start] but be involved in the squad.
“He suffered a small injury but now I think he will cover to arrive but not play. How many things people don’t know and criticise us but, no, he is not going to play because he hasn’t trained for two days.”
Ian Maatsen won’t start against Preston
We’d have liked Maatsen to start in his preferred left-back position in the cup fixture against Preston. Alternatively, Chelsea’s boss does like to use him further forward on the wings.
He’ll have to be content with another spot on the Blues bench, though.
We’re wondering if Maatsen has played his last game of the season for Chelsea because he’s frequently linked in the transfer rumour mill with a potential exit from West London in January.
Sky Sports journalist Patrick Berger claimed on X a couple of days ago that Maatsen has agreed terms over a move to German side Borussia Dortmund this month. But the clubs are still yet to find an agreement, with Chelsea keen to include an obligation to buy in any deal.
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