5 Chelsea academy players who could break into the first team next season

#4 Ian Maatsen

Chelsea FC v Bradford City - FA Youth Cup: Fourth Round

Like his youth-level teammate Tino Anjorin, Dutchman Ian Maatsen was sent on to play twenty-three minutes against Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup earlier this season by Frank Lampard. Chelsea fans caught a small glimpse of the player Maatsen promises to be in the near future, with the 17-year-old defender leaving many impressed.

Maatsen only joined the Blues' academy in 2018, signing from Feyenoord. However, he is regarded highly at Cobham, with the club hierarchy keen to tie him to a long-term contract. The Netherlands youth international, meanwhile, has been a constant fixture in the youth sqauds this season, making twenty-two appearances across several competitions. He has been largely deployed as a left-back in Premier League 2 but has played further forward in the FA Youth Cup.

Maatsen's chances of breaking through into the first-team next season have been boosted following the arrival of Frank Lampard. Furthermore, Inconsistent performances from Emerson and Marcos Alonso have worked in his favour, with the head coach opting to snub them both in several games across the season. Should either of them be sold next season, the Dutchman could be given a chance to impress and make the spot his own.