Vincent Kompany now wants to 22-years-old Chelsea starlet as his first Bayern Munich signing
A “very strong” Chelsea player is being eyed by Bayern Munich and, consequently, Vincent Kompany as the Belgian’s first possible summer signing.
Maresca’s Chelsea plans beginning to take shape
As the west Londoners herald in a new era, Enzo Maresca’s appointment as the next head coach to succeed Mauricio Pochettino was confirmed on Monday.
The Italian signed a five-year contract with Chelsea with the option to stay for an additional year after leading Leicester City to the Championship title and automatic promotion the previous season.
Maresca is rumored to be planning to offer some players an opportunity to shine at Stamford Bridge, and he already has transfer targets in mind for Chelsea. For example, Maresca has a great deal of respect for goalie Robert Sanchez.
Maresca also wants to hand Chelsea youngster Omari Hutchinson an opportunity in pre-season, but the same cannot be said of a few others. Various reports have indicated that the likes of Armando Broja, Romelu Lukaku, Conor Gallagher, Trevoh Chalobah, Malang Sarr and Kepa Arrizabalaga could follow Thiago Silva out the door, with left-back Ian Maatsen also earning admirers after a brilliant campaign on loan at Borussia Dortmund.
Dortmund have been locked in talks to sign Maatsen permanently, as per Sky journalist Dharmesh Sheth, with it looking likely that there won’t be a place for the Dutchman in Maresca’s Chelsea squad next season.
Kompany eyeing Chelsea ace Maatsen as first Bayern Munich signing
Bayern Munich, who recently announced Kompany as their new manager, knows Maatsen well from their time together at Burnley.
Now, it is believed Bayern have entered the race to sign Maatsen from Chelsea this summer, and could go toe-to-toe with Dortmund over his signature. The 22-year-old’s deal includes a £35 million release clause, but it is unclear whether either side are willing to pay it.
“He’s part of such a very strong list of players who have done really well for us this season,” said ex-Burnley boss Kompany on Maatsen.
“The ingredients are always the same. He’s got to be coachable in a sense that when he’s not doing well we’ve got to be able to tell him and eventually learn from his mistakes. He’s got to be willing to work hard, he does that terrifically, and get better.
“He’s just turning into something that we expected him to be able to become. He’s a very, very versatile full-back with lots of energy and great potential.”