We'll bite their hands off! – Aston Villa legend warns Chelsea they will regret selling Ian Maatsen
Aston Villa legend Gabby Agbonlahor believes Chelsea will regret selling Ian Maatsen.
talkSPORT understands Villa have agreed a deal worth more than £35m sign the Dutch left back this summer.
Maatsen, who is traveling with his country in Euro 2024 In Germany, he has already reached a personal agreement with the Villans.
Despite fighting to enter the Chelsea In the first team, the 22-year-old was a key player for Borussia Dortmund on their way to the Champions League final.
The Blues need to capitalize on academy products like Maatsen to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.
But Agbonlahor, Villa's all-time top scorer in the Premier League, believes Chelsea could be making a mistake.
Asked if they would regret selling Maatsen, he told talkSPORT.com: “100%. I understand why they let him go, £35-40m, they already have Marc Cucurella, they have Ben Chilwell, no I don't need another left back.
“But it could end up being better than both of them.
“At the young age of 22, we will rip their hands off. He is a player who will play every week, with a six-year contract, Aston Villa will also start doing that with youngsters, signing them up long-term.
“So I think it's something that Chelsea will regret and that Aston Villa fans will love. “He will start and then I wouldn't be surprised if Lucas Digne moves on and Alex Moreno is the substitute left-back.
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“Such exciting times at Aston Villa.”
Villa can offer Maatsen the Champions League next season after finishing fourth in the Premier League last season.
And Agbonlahor believes signings like Maatsen's are crucial if Villa are to raise the bar.
“Now that Aston Villa have moved on to the next level, the Champions League, the way we play our high line, we have to have quick defenders,” he added.
“You know, Matty Cash, a great player. Digne, Moreno, great players. But they don't have the rhythm.
“And if you look at Maatsen, look at what he did for Dortmund last season, aged 22, I think he was on holiday and he got called up to the Dutch team again. Now he will have eyes on him for a lot of Villa fans.” .
“For me it's a statement, it's like saying: 'You know what? I'm not going to sit back with what we have.' We know that we could play against Real Madrid at Villa Park, and the way we played a high level line – Kylian Mbappé, Rodrigo, Vinicius Jr – you need fast defenders.
“So I'm happy with the signing. I think it shows where we are now, that we can start looking for bigger players with pedigree. And I think it will be a great transfer window for Unai Emery.”
