I had second thoughts about leaving Chelsea - but now I could win the Champions League

Ian Maatsen has refused to rule out a summer exit from Chelsea after admitting he had questioned his decision to stay at Stamford Bridge for the first half of the season.

The left-back secured a loan move to Borussia Dortmund in January and helped his club reach the semi-finals of the Champions League with a goal in the dramatic last-eight second leg win over Atletico Madrid.

The 22-year-old - who at this stage last season was helping Burnley win promotion from the Championship - started just one of his 12 Premier League games for Chelsea before heading out to Germany.

The Dutchman has started all 22 games he's been available for at Dortmund, recording two goals and two assists. He’s also helped to keep six Bundesliga clean sheets as the Yellows try and rescue a top four finish, albeit fifth place would likely be enough for Champions League football next season.

Speaking on the success of his move, Maatsen told The Telegraph: “I think the belief from the board, the coach, the technical directors, they’re all on the same page. They all believe in me that I’m a talented player who can perform at the highest level and they gave me this opportunity.

“I think it’s special for players, young players, to come to this big club like BVB and show their skills to the whole world. I’m really grateful for this opportunity.”

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Did he regret staying at Chelsea for the first half of the campaign? “Yeah, it plays with your mind, but I still believed my chance would come by being patient, working hard.

“For some reason, it didn’t work out and afterwards you have to find a solution and the deal happened between Dortmund and Chelsea. Also I need to thank Chelsea that I’m here and they gave me that opportunity.”

Maatsen - contracted at Chelsea for another two years - says “all options are open” this summer with the defender tipped to leave Chelsea, especially if the club fails to earn a top seven spot. He comes up against Paris Saint-Germain ace Kylian Mbappe once again on Wednesday having faced him in the group stage.

He recounted watching Chelsea win the 2021 Champions League and how he wanted to experience that for himself one day. “A few other young players that I played with there went to travel to the final in Porto - they called me on FaceTime from there, it was unbelievable,” he said.

“I told myself ‘one day, I want to be one of those guys to be on the biggest stage, to show the world who I am, show the quality I have’. And now I have this opportunity, it’s crazy.”