Aston Villa confirmed the signing of Ian Maatsen from Chelsea on Friday and the Dutchman is an instant upgrade on Unai Emery’s current options.
Monchi and Unai Emery have set their stalls out to have a successful transfer window at Aston Villa ahead of a Champions League campaign in 2024/25.
Although Villa were hamstrung by PSR concerns at first, the sales of Tim Iroegbunham to Everton and the imminent departure of Douglas Luiz to Juventus have placed the Villans in a secure position.
As a result, Emery has been able to strengthen his squad with some impressive additions – including Ian Maatsen – who arrived for £37.5 million from Chelsea on Friday.
The 22-year-old spent last campaign on loan at Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund, who did attempt to sign him permanently but Villa won the race for his signature instead.
Ian Maatsen’s statistics at Borussia Dortmund in 23/24
Following a successful loan spell at Burnley in the 2022/23 campaign, which saw him help the Clarets seal the Championship title, Maatsen was shipped out on loan to Dortmund in January.
The explosive Dutch wing-back played 23 times in all competitions, scoring three and adding two assists to his name, including a strike in the Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid.
Dubbed ‘special’ by writer Nizaar Kinsella, the 2002-born defender is exceptional at driving forward at speed and supplying a telling delivery.
As highlighted by FBref, Maatsen places in the top 21% of full-backs across Europe for progressive carries and the top 13% for pass completion and progressive passes per 90.
A joy to watch when he’s travelling at speed with the ball, Maatsen isn’t just an attacking phenom; he’s also proven he can defend, holding his own against Real Madrid’s Rodrygo in the Champions League final.
He’s excellent in one-on-one situations, ranking in the top 20% for interceptions and the top 16% for blocks. The talented youngster uses his low centre of gravity and searing pace to make himself difficult to get past.
It’s such attributes that make him exciting as a complete left-back while proving he’s an upgrade on Villa’s current options, Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno.
How Ian Maatsen compares against Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno
Digne and Moreno, both aged 30 and 31 respectively, are possibly reaching the ends of their Villa careers.
The Frenchman attracted interest from Saudi Arabian clubs previously while the Spaniard was linked with his former club Real Betis.
Now that Emery has three first-choice left-backs to choose from, he may consider selling one this summer as game time will be at a premium.
On the evidence of his above defensive and attack metrics, Maatsen will take his place in the starting XI instantly, but how does he compare against Moreno and Digne?
As expected, Maatsen comes out on top against Digne and Moreno when comparing their pass completion, progressive passes, ball recoveries, interceptions, tackles and blocks, while Moreno just edges the Dutchman on progressive carries and non-penalty goals.
Digne, meanwhile, doesn’t reign supreme in any of these statistics and whilst numbers are only a certain barometer of performance, the table suggests Maatsen is the best option and Digne should be sold this summer.
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