“It is a no-brainer” – Burnley eye permanent Chelsea transfer agreement: The verdict | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Burnley are interested in making Ian Maatsen’s loan agreement a permanent one in the summer after the Chelsea full-back’s impressive impact at Turf Moor this season.

The Athletic report how Maatsen is “expected to be permanent target” in the summer, after four goals and four assists in 23 appearances under Vincent Kompany so far this season.

Maatsen has just 18 months remaining on his contract at Chelsea, with a potential permanent move to Burnley surely offering the 20-year-old a crack at the Premier League, with the Clarets already 17 points clear of third in the Championship table.

Our writers discuss the prospect of Maatsen agreeing terms on a permanent deal with Burnley and whether he’s ready for the inevitable step up into the Premier League:

Ned Holmes

Burnley should be doing all they can to try and sign Ian Maatsen permanently.

Plenty of players have impressed at Turf Moor this season but the Chelsea loanee is among their best pickups, in my eyes.

He’s a fantastic fit for the style of football that Vincent Kompany wants to play and at 20, has a big future ahead of him.

There can be no doubting his attacking quality but patience may be needed for him to get up to speed with the vigours of defending in the Premier League.

That should be afforded to him because he’s a real talent and someone the Clarets should definitely push hard for in the summer.

Chris Gallagher

Yes, it’s a no-brainer and this should be one of the first signings they make.

It was a real coup for the Clarets to get Maatsen to move to Turf Moor as he had been linked with Feyenoord, so it shows that he is a player with plenty of potential and one who is highly regarded in the game.

Of course, he’s gone on to prove that with Burnley and he is the ideal full-back for Kompany as he is tidy in possession, quick and a constant threat going forward.

He has been hugely influential for Burnley over the past five months and I would expect him to continue to have a big role to play in the team when they’re in the Premier League next season.

Quiz: Are these 20 Burnley FC facts real or fake?

1 of 20

Burnley play in the Championship

Real Fake

Alfie Burns

Maatsen has proved during his time in the EFL that he’s got the quality to play in the Premier League. After stints with Charlton Athletic and Coventry City, he’s been building towards a season like this and his form for Burnley hasn’t been a surprise.

The 20-year-old is exactly what you want from a modern full-back, particularly in an attacking sense, where he provides width, assists and goals for Kompany’s side.

His one v one defending would be tested more in the Premier League, but he’s got all the potential to play at that level, particularly with such a good coach helping to develop his game in Kompany.

Burnley are heading for the Premier League and these next three or four months will see them start planning for that in terms of transfer targets. Maatsen should be one of the first they consider bringing in, as they aim to keep together the key components of this squad that should, from here, bring home the Championship title.