Chelsea set to confirm key departure as deal is agreed for 21-year-old

Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen is closing in on a loan move to Borussia Dortmund but will sign a fresh new two year deal with the Blues before departing this week, LondonWorld has been told. 

The 21-year-old is joining Dortmund until the end of the season but sources say the deal does not include an option to buy as Chelsea value him and only want him to get needed minutes that will aid his development. 

Maatsen and Chelsea agreed to turn down a chance for him to return to Burnley in the summer where he impressed and helped them to qualify for the Premier League, but just one league start under Pochettino in six months has turned his head and he wants to go somewhere to get playing time. 

His departure could push Chelsea back into the transfer market for a left back with both Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella out injured and Levi Colwill having to deputise.

Mauricio Pochettino's side have struggled in the league but will take on Championship side Middlesbrough in the League Cup semi-final with the Chelsea boss cautioning his side against any form of complacency and urging them to rather enjoy the game. 

He told reporters: "The most important thing is we need to enjoy the semi-final, not to feel like it’s compulsory for us to be in the final. Football is not about that. You cannot play if you feel pressure and you don’t feel fresh in your mind.

“If you feel it’s compulsory (to win), always with some restriction – you need to take the semi-final as a great opportunity to enjoy playing football, performing well, running, being aggressive, being all together. Not to feel it’s compulsory to go to the final. You start to limit yourself.”

Chelsea last won the League Cup in 2015 and ironically it was against a Tottenham side that were managed by Pochettino.