With the Blues for nine games this season, Maatsen has shown versatility as both a left defender and a winger.

The 21-year-old has appeared in majority of those games as a substitute, and in Chelsea’s previous five Premier League matches, he has not even made the bench once.

Maatsen was expecting to make a bigger splash at Stamford Bridge and crack the starting lineup after a stellar loan spell with Burnley last season, during which he was selected to the Championship winning team’s team of the season and helped them win the title.

The Dutchman’s summer plans to join Burnley on a permanent basis costing £31.5 million almost came to fruition, but things did not work out that way.

Reportedly, West Ham are keeping tabs on Maatsen in the hopes of making a January move for the player. Maatsen spent some time in Chelsea’s academy after signing from PSV in 2018.

Rumor has it that the Hammers have inquired about Maatsen’s availability in the hopes of attempting to get him when the window opens.After previously hinting that he may have to make a “difficult choice” if his playing time under head coach Mauricio Pochettino does not improve, Maatsen—who is contracted until the summer of 2025—may have to make just that.

‘I need to play more for [international opportunities]’, he told Algemeen Dagblad. At Chelsea, I still believe it’s doable. A young player’s hunger for more is insatiable. The words of the trainer inspire me, and I am prepared for the chance when it presents itself.

While this is happening, I need to be flexible. Some tough decisions may be required of me in the future, but the club will let me know when that time comes.