Champions League
BVB loan players Sancho and Maatsen face an uncertain future
Ian Maatsen (l) and Jadon Sancho during BVB training. photo
© Bernd Thissen/dpa
Without its loan players Jadon Sancho and Ian Maatsen, BVB would hardly have made it to the Champions League semi-finals. Nevertheless, after only six months, the signs point to a separation.
Do they stay or do they have to leave after just six months? The future of the two loan players signed last winter Jadon Sancho and Ian Maatsen at Borussia Dortmund are still uncertain.
Given the high transfer demands from their clubs Manchester United and Chelsea FC, a permanent commitment in both cases still seems unlikely. Both will most likely be in the starting line-up for the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Sancho is given a greater chance of wearing the black and yellow jersey next season. After his ordeal as a reservist in England, the 24-year-old clearly feels comfortable in his old place of work. However, the former Dortmund dribbling artist has not yet reached the form he had before his €85 million move from BVB to Manchester in the summer of 2021. “Both I notice it and Jadon notices that he is not yet at his maximum performance,” Edin Terzic confessed a few days ago.
Sancho’s potential
Nevertheless, the football teacher sees great potential. “We know that he is able to reach this maximum very quickly. In every training session there is an action that shows his extraordinary talent,” enthused Terzic and attested to the good work ethic of Sancho, who was once not known for his great enthusiasm for training: ” We see how diligently he deals with the topics. Jadon is a lot of fun for us.”
According to reports, BVB is trying to secure another loan deal. However, that would require that Sancho would be prepared to make significant cuts to his salary in England, which is estimated at around 20 million euros.
Bayern interested in Maatsen?
In contrast, Maatsen’s days in Dortmund seem to be numbered. After strong first games for BVB, the Dutch international was unable to maintain the high level throughout. Nevertheless, FC Bayern are said to be interested in signing the fast left-back. The costs for a transfer would reportedly amount to almost 40 million euros.
When asked how high the chances of staying at BVB are, Maatsen answered evasively in the “Ruhr Nachrichten”: “I don’t know yet what will happen in the summer. There will certainly be several options.” The 22-year-old denied rumors that he had informed Chelsea bosses that he did not want to return to Stamford Bridge: “No, I didn’t do that.”
According to Edward Maatsen, there is still hope that his son will continue to play for BVB in the future. “We are working to ensure that he stays at the club,” said the professional’s father to the Dutch magazine “Voetbal International”. “The clubs have to work this out among themselves. Ian is developing well here. Dortmund has proven to be a good interim step.”