Ian Maatsen

[Suratclaret]

According to the BBC…

Barcelona are lining up a summer move for Chelsea's Netherlands left-back Ian Maatsen, 21, who turned down a £32m move to Burnley in the summer and is out of contract in June. (Sport - in Spanish)

[Vegas Claret]

sounds right, when he was with us he did a question and answer session on Instagram and he said he was learning Spanish so it would be easier to move to Spain if that ever came about. Good agent !

[Turftalkers mentor]

Good luck to him ,
However we already have a better all round left back than him .
Not sour grapes thought that last season when he was here

[Quicknick]

Thankfully we didn't pay this money on him. He isn't worth it. I prefer Charlie Taylor.

[Clive 1960]

Ian will be great in attacking teams but when it comes to defending he's still a lot to learn.

[StayingDown4Ever]

Cause he mugged us off people are actually saying Taylor is better anyway

[Burnley1989]

Cause he mugged us off people are actually saying Taylor is better anyway

It’s the ex GF effect, it destroys some grown men

[Granny WeatherWax]

£100m spent and we are reliant on Taylor at left back and a striker who we lose in Jan.

[bfcjg]

Fair play to him,part of the very best division 2/championship team I have ever witnessed,can't do anything but wish every single one of that squad the very best.

[Tricky Trevor]

With Barcas transfer history and current financial difficulties it reads like he was tapped to sit out his contract and join them next Summer.
With every player on the planet peeing themselves to sign for RM or Barca, I’ll never know why, I can understand him turning us down.

[CrosspoolClarets]

I can understand Maatsen wanting to give it a go, appreciate what he helped us to do, and love his generous charitable nature, but he strikes me as the kind of fancy dan overseas player we see a lot who spend their career with huge clubs, get paid a lot of money, but hardly play any games. Contrast this to the mentality of some of our signings who appear to want to be playing in a regular spot at this level as a top priority.

La Liga may suit him, he is likely too vulnerable for the Premier League. It is worrying how Poch appears to like him but cannot trust him for even a few minutes in his normal position. I suspect somebody like Jacob BL would tear him to bits down that side.

[IanMcL]

Charlie Taylor is the man.

[arise_sir_charge]

Anybody that thinks Charlie Taylor is a better player than Ian Maatsen is best ignored.

Having Charlie Taylor at left back is a major issue for us as a unit.

[warksclaret]

I think I can live without Maatsen-he would not be the answer to the defences lapses we have made this season. On the other hand Tella could well have been a handful and exposed a few defences of teams we have played, and allowed Foster even more freedom. He is the one we have missed

[CrosspoolClarets]

Not sure we have missed Tella much. Take the Chelsea game, he would have needed to track back to cover Sterling and he isn’t good at that. He can’t play in the hole, we concluded we needed Berge as an attacking midfielder in there, and Foster is upfront. Maybe as a late option to change a game Tella is OK but I doubt he would get much joy at this level.

[arise_sir_charge]

I think I can live without Maatsen-he would not be the answer to the defences lapses we have made this season. On the other hand Tella could well have been a handful and exposed a few defences of teams we have played, and allowed Foster even more freedom. He is the one we have missed

You see I think he’d have made a huge difference as I think our biggest problem is how we are building from the back as opposed to just how we defend.

Similarly I don’t think Muric would have saved anything Trafford hasn’t but he’d have used the ball better and relieves pressure that way.

[4midable]

Thankfully we didn't pay this money on him. He isn't worth it. I prefer Charlie Taylor.

Taylor is championship standard at best
We need a replacement

[RVclaret]

You see I think he’d have made a huge difference as I think our biggest problem is how we are building from the back as opposed to just how we defend.

Similarly I don’t think Muric would have saved anything Trafford hasn’t but he’d have used the ball better and relieves pressure that way.

All fair points here. Maatsen’s intelligence, movement and ability to receive the ball in several areas was a big factor in building out last season. As the season progressed that understanding with Muric, like you say, developed quite significantly.

On the other hand you could argue Maatsen would make an already small/weak kind of team (compared to PL teams) even smaller and weaker.

[SalisburyClaret]

The worry is that we offered so much for him in the first place.

[RVclaret]

The worry is that we offered so much for him in the first place.

I don’t particularly understand this comment.

£20m for a young player who’s now being linked with Barcelona doesn’t seem over the odds to me.

[jsclaret]

I think I can live without Maatsen-he would not be the answer to the defences lapses we have made this season. On the other hand Tella could well have been a handful and exposed a few defences of teams we have played, and allowed Foster even more freedom. He is the one we have missed

Agreed. I would prefer Charlie Taylor plus £32m and don't think our league position would be any different if we had got Maatsen.
I also don't think anyone is saying Charlie Taylor is a better player than Maatsen though

[taio]

Taylor is championship standard at best
We need a replacement

He's proven this wrong time and time again. As for championship 'at best'

[Newcastleclaret93]

He's proven this wrong time and time again. As for championship 'at best'

He’s similar to Brownhill, in hes played a lot of games at premier league level. But I think there’s an argument to suggest if it wasn’t for Burnley they wouldn’t have played any games at this level.

[taio]

He’s similar to Brownhill, in hes played a lot of games at premier league level. But I think there’s an argument to suggest if it wasn’t for Burnley they wouldn’t have played any games at this level.

Would you say describing him as 'championship at best' is fair? Mind you, you are drawing comparisons with Brownhill and you said the same about him so perhaps that's a rhetorical question.

[arise_sir_charge]

Agreed. I would prefer Charlie Taylor plus £32m and don't think our league position would be any different if we had got Maatsen.
I also don't think anyone is saying Charlie Taylor is a better player than Maatsen though

“ However we already have a better all round left back than him”……suggests Taylor is better than Maatsen.

I agree we’d not be any higher in the league at present simply because of who we’ve played.

I would prefer to be going into our next run of games with Maatsen and not Taylor though.

[AlargeClaret]

Cause he mugged us off people are actually saying Taylor is better anyway

Simply as an actual left back defender Taylor is better that IM ,Taylor’s an excellent tackler ,athletic for a big man ,and can take a man to the byline . CT can also play a very reasonable wing back role when allowed as he showed for yrs under SD .

As a technically gifted versatile player though IM is clearly a far better overall footballer with 2 decent feet , goals in him and an ability to create . He looks a typical quality modern footballer with a good future ahead .

[Big Vinny K]

He’s similar to Brownhill, in hes played a lot of games at premier league level. But I think there’s an argument to suggest if it wasn’t for Burnley they wouldn’t have played any games at this level.

You mean that if they had not played a number of seasons for Burnley in the Premier League they would not have had any games in the Premier League ?
Ok…..so Leeds would have sold Taylor after getting promoted ?

If it weren’t for Spurs Harry Kane wouldn’t have had any games at that level ?
If it weren’t for Villa Watkins…..etc etc

Taylor played regularly in the Premier League for a team which spent the best part of a decade in that league. So under any definition he was good enough to play in the Premier League - and the reason I know that is cos he did.

[4midable]

He's proven this wrong time and time again. As for championship 'at best'

Proven what
Hes one of the worst defenders we have

[Jakubclaret]

Taylor's been a steady consistent performer at this level when called upon he's been good enough for that, but he's never done enough to really tempt outside interest. It's almost as if he's been identified as a good fit for us & we'll leave it there as far as others have been concerned & that attitudes served us well & to some extent him.

[taio]

Proven what
Hes one of the worst defenders we have

One of our top performers so far this season. You obviously don't rate him at this level but saying he's been championship at best is silly.

[arise_sir_charge]

One of our top performers so far this season. You obviously don't rate him at this level but saying he's been championship at best is silly.

One of the top performers? I’d say he’s one of our biggest problems.

[Jamesy]

Anybody that thinks Charlie Taylor is a better player than Ian Maatsen is best ignored.

Having Charlie Taylor at left back is a major issue for us as a unit.

It’s all subjective of course. Taylor is a traditional type of defender, better at defending than Maatsen but not as effective further up the pitch.
We got away with not defending very well last year with Maatsen and co in the team, because we were so dominant in the middle of the park and banging goals in for fun.
This year because we are short of defenders who can actually defend and a fairly weak midfield in front of them we are getting torn apart with regularity. I’m just waiting patiently for Ekdal and Beyer to be fit and paired together. Charlie Taylor will be fine playing in defence with these two.
Good luck to Maatsen, he isn’t the finished article yet, but will be when he can defend properly.

[SalisburyClaret]

I don’t particularly understand this comment.

£20m for a young player who’s now being linked with Barcelona doesn’t seem over the odds to me.

The article quotes 32m - I’ve heard that quoted elsewhere as 34m . Both in £’s and euros. So some confusion but a lot more than £20m

[taio]

One of the top performers? I’d say he’s one of our biggest problems.

I would think more people on here would think Taylor has been one of our better performers so far, than not.

A few people on this thread kept saying to the many posters who wanted Taylor back in that they don't have the knowledge to understand he doesn't fit Kompany’s system and their persistence on Kompamy selecting Taylor was foolish. Lo and behold, not long after, Kompany selected Taylor and he's been one of our better players since - they were right after all because Kompany has selected him several times since. Now the narrative from some has shifted from Kompany won't select him to he's just not good enough.

We do need a left back and we should've signed one in the summer, but Taylor is the best one we have right now.

[jojomk1]

Have I missed something
Has Maatsen started a Premier League game for Chelsea
Some journal decides to put out a story that Barcelona are moving heaven and earth to sign him next summer
More likely his agent is starting to spread rumours to get him an improved offer anywhere next summer
As for Charlie Taylor,
He is all we have got (thanks to recruitment) and actually, I don't think he is doing a bad job
Given our current start to the season I think Maatsen would have made our defense even weaker

[Clive 1960]

Anybody that thinks Charlie Taylor is a better player than Ian Maatsen is best ignored.

Having Charlie Taylor at left back is a major issue for us as a unit.

Taylor is a better defender defending but Ian is better going forward .

[arise_sir_charge]

I would think more people on here would think Taylor has been one of our better performers so far, than not.

A few people on this thread kept saying to the many posters who wanted Taylor back in that they don't have the knowledge to understand he doesn't fit Kompany’s system and their persistence on Kompamy selecting Taylor was foolish. Lo and behold, not long after, Kompany selected Taylor and he's been one of our better players since - they were right after all because Kompany has selected him several times since. Now the narrative from some has shifted from Kompany won't select him to he's just not good enough.

We do need a left back and we should've signed one in the summer, but Taylor is the best one we have right now.

I think that if Ekdal and Beyer were fit, Delcroix would be playing left back ahead of Taylor.

I maintain he doesn’t fit the VK system and he’s only playing because he’s the only option available at the moment.

[Newcastleclaret93]

You mean that if they had not played a number of seasons for Burnley in the Premier League they would not have had any games in the Premier League ?
Ok…..so Leeds would have sold Taylor after getting promoted ?

If it weren’t for Spurs Harry Kane wouldn’t have had any games at that level ?
If it weren’t for Villa Watkins…..etc etc

Taylor played regularly in the Premier League for a team which spent the best part of a decade in that league. So under any definition he was good enough to play in the Premier League - and the reason I know that is cos he did.

Stupid comparisons.

It was proven when were relegated and everyone decent left for premier league teams.

Taylor and Brownhill were the two that didn’t get a move and will more than likely never play for another team in the premier league.

They are both probably too good for the championship, but ultimately I don’t think either are good enough to consistently play at this level. Bit part roles they would be great.

[taio]

I think that if Ekdal and Beyer were fit, Delcroix would be playing left back ahead of Taylor.

I maintain he doesn’t fit the VK system and he’s only playing because he’s the only option available at the moment.

That doesn't seem to stack-up as Delcroix has been left out when Taylor has been selected.

[ksrclaret]

Jesus wept.

Taylor one of our biggest problems this season? Nuts.

[StayingDown4Ever]

I think that if Ekdal and Beyer were fit, Delcroix would be playing left back ahead of Taylor.

I maintain he doesn’t fit the VK system and he’s only playing because he’s the only option available at the moment.

Since Vincent finally stopped embarrassing himself and play the only left back we’ve got at left back, I think Taylor has been steady away.

However, those who are saying Taylor is a better option than Maatsen are embarrassing themselves almost as much as Vincent was in the earlier referenced circumstance.

[Big Vinny K]

Stupid comparisons.

It was proven when were relegated and everyone decent left for premier league teams.

Taylor and Brownhill were the two that didn’t get a move and will more than likely never play for another team in the premier league.

They are both probably too good for the championship, but ultimately I don’t think either are good enough to consistently play at this level. Bit part roles they would be great.

Not comparing to those players obviously - it’s about players who have played for one club in the premier league and your daft remark that if it weren’t for playing for that club.

The point that is going way over your head is that the facts show that they did both play consistently at this level - especially Taylor.

[CoolClaret]

More disrespect of course for Chaz that for some reason gets a free pass on here despite probably being one of our best performers of the season (verified in the average ratings thread).

I guess if he came from the Belgian league, cost 15
million and rolled over after conceding two then he’d be unbelievable.

[warksclaret]

Talk of Barcelona coming in with serious money has to be challenged.If thats the case why was only Burnley genuinely interested in him this Summer

[beddie]

I wouldn’t blame Maatsen if he gets a big money move but to suggest Charlie Taylor is as good, I have absolutely nothing against Charlie but I’m struggling with that one I’m afraid.

[taio]

More disrespect of course for Chaz that for some reason gets a free pass on here despite probably being one of our best performers of the season (verified in the average ratings thread).

I guess if he came from the Belgian league, cost 15
million and rolled over after conceding two then he’d be unbelievable.

Good point - forgot about the average ratings thread: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=72335&p=2198024&hil ... s#p2198024.

A good measure of where player performances are at to date.

Some people just need to accept they got it wrong when they were saying those who wanted Taylor back didn't understand Kompany’s system and that Kompany wouldn't select him.

[daveisaclaret]

Think Taylor is probably looking good in the average ratings because he didn't play when we got thrashed by the two best teams in the league. Unless anyone wants to claim he'd be the difference v City and Spurs then there's not really anything to it.

People on here are getting very critical of Kompany but to me there's something in it that he wanted to obliterate our transfer record for Maatsen and didn't want Taylor at all.

[Swizzlestick]

Since Vincent finally stopped embarrassing himself and play the only left back we’ve got at left back, I think Taylor has been steady away.

However, those who are saying Taylor is a better option than Maatsen are embarrassing themselves almost as much as Vincent was in the earlier referenced circumstance.

You’d know all about people embarrassing themselves, pony boy.

[CoolClaret]

Think Taylor is probably looking good in the average ratings because he didn't play when we got thrashed by the two best teams in the league. Unless anyone wants to claim he'd be the difference v City and Spurs then there's not really anything to it.

People on here are getting very critical of Kompany but to me there's something in it that he wanted to obliterate our transfer record for Maatsen and didn't want Taylor at all.

Against City we played 5 at the back and we weren’t necessarily as susceptible down the flanks as we were against Villa and Spurs (where we got absolutely butchered down the flanks - especially down the left vs Villa) but if you think Chaz wouldn’t have helped our defensive frailties in either game then let’s just not bother.

He’s been a marked improvement in our defensive vulnerabilities and yeah he doesn’t have the line breaking passing ability of an Ian Maatsen but he’s also been ok with his distribution; particularly against Forest away in the league.

[taio]

Think Taylor is probably looking good in the average ratings because he didn't play when we got thrashed by the two best teams in the league. Unless anyone wants to claim he'd be the difference v City and Spurs then there's not really anything to it.

People on here are getting very critical of Kompany but to me there's something in it that he wanted to obliterate our transfer record for Maatsen and didn't want Taylor at all.

Do you think we've looked better at left back since Taylor came back?

I feel the only people who can't see that are the ones who said he didn't fit Kompany’s system and Kompany wouldn't select him at left back.