Aston Villa legend Gabby Agbonlahor believes Chelsea will regret the sale of Ian Maatsen.
According to The Pitch Prospect, Villa have completed a deal worth more than £35 million to sign the Dutch left-back this summer.
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Maatsen, who will be taking part in the 2024 European Championship in Germany with his country, has already agreed on personal terms with the “Villans”.
Although he struggled to break into Chelsea’s first team, the 22-year-old was a key player in Borussia Dortmund’s run to the Champions League final.
The Blues need to make money from academy products like Maatsen to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.
But Agbonlahor, Villa’s all-time top Premier League goalscorer, believes Chelsea may be making a mistake.
Asked if they regret selling Maatsen, he told The Pitch Prospect.com: “100%. I understand why they’re letting him go, £35-40 million, they’ve already got Marc Cucurella, they’ve got Ben Chilwell, they don’t need another left-back.”
“But in the end he could be better than both of them.
“At the young age of 22, we will tear his hands off. He is a player who will play every week, with a six-year contract. Aston Villa will do the same with young players and sign them long-term.”
“So I think Chelsea will regret it but Aston Villa fans will love it. He will start and then I wouldn’t be surprised if Lucas Digne moves on and Alex Moreno plays as a backup left-back.
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“Such exciting times at Aston Villa.”
Villa can offer Maatsen Champions League football next season after finishing fourth in the Premier League last season.
And Agbonlahor believes signings like Maatsen are crucial if Villa are to raise the bar.
“Now that Aston Villa have reached the next level, the Champions League, we need fast defenders given our high back line,” he added.
“You know, Matty Cash is a great player. Digne and Moreno are great players. But they lack pace.”
“And look at Maatsen, look at what he did for Dortmund last season, 22 years old, I think he was on holiday and was called back into the Dutch team. He will now attract the attention of many Villa fans.
“For me, this signing is a clear statement. It’s like saying, ‘You know what? I’m not going to settle for what we have.’ We know we could play Real Madrid at Villa Park and the way we play with a high line – Kylian Mbappe, Rodrigo, Vinicius Jr. – you need quick defenders.
“So I’m happy with the signing. I think it shows where we are now. We can start looking for bigger, more experienced players. And I think it’s going to be a great transfer window for Unai Emery.”