Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that he is "so happy" with the pre-season performances of Ian Maatsen.
When the Blues begun their pre-season tour of the United States, Maatsen was a surprise starter on the left wing as the West Londoners squared off against Wrexham.
The Netherlands Under-21 international scored two goals in that fixture and has since started encounters with Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United in the Premier League Summer Series.
Maatsen laid on the assist for Nicolas Jackson's goal against the Magpies on Wednesday night, threading a precise pass through to the new signing from a central position having moved inside.
Pochettino gave Maatsen a total of 64 minutes to impress against Newcastle, with the versatile wideman having now accumulated 154 minutes during the recent triple-header.
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The former Burnley loanee has recently indicated that he wants to try to prove himself at Chelsea, rather than move elsewhere at a point when he has less than 12 months left on his contract.
As well as Burnley retaining an interest in his signature, West Ham United and Nottingham Forest have also been linked with a move for the 21-year-old.
However, speaking to reporters after Wednesday's fixture, Pochettino hinted that Maatsen was pushing himself into his plans for the upcoming campaign.
Pochettino, as quoted by football.london, said: "I am so happy with him. He is a player that can play in different positions. His quality, his understanding of the game, he is a clever player. I am so happy with him so far.
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The Argentine later added: "So far he is in my plans. I am so pleased with him, I told you before, I am so pleased because he is a player whose attitude, commitment and understanding of the game, we can use in different positions.
"That is a good thing for the team and for a coach. It is good to have this type of player."
Although Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital will have concerns about Maatsen entering the final 12 months of his contract, Pochettino has also spoken about wanting no more than 24 players in his senior squad.
Maatsen's capabilities at left-back could theoretically see him become third choice behind Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella, as well as being deployed in the final third having starred in an attacking role over the past week.
Darren Plant
