Chelsea can take advantage of a little-known FIFA rule exempting U21 and homegrown players from the maximum of seven temporary outgoings. The Premier League outfit already have seven stars out on loan from their bloated squad.
According to reports, defender Ian Maatsen has been linked with a temporary exit. However, some fans have pointed out that the club has reached FIFA’s limit of seven loan departures at any one time per season.
FIFA tightened its rules around loans two seasons ago. In 2022-23, teams were capped at eight senior loans per campaign and the limit was reduced to seven for this term. Temporary departures for Romelu Lukaku, Diego Moreira, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Hakim Ziyech, Angelo, David Datro Fofana and Gabriel Slonina mean that quota has been met.
But Maatsen would be able to leave on loan as he would be exempt from the rules. FIFA website states that players under the age of 21 and those who are “club-trained” are excluded from the restrictions.
The Netherlands U21 international is listed as an official U21 player on the Premier League website. FIFA’s definition of a club-trained player states that a player must have been contracted to a club for three full seasons or 36 months prior to the year of their 21st birthday.
Maatsen, who was signed from PSV aged 16, comfortably falls under that category. The 21-year-old would therefore be allowed to leave on loan, for the same reason that Lewis Hall was able to join Newcastle in an initial temporary agreement at the end of the summer window.
According to the Mirror, Maatsen has interest from Borussia Dortmund and former loan club Burnley. He turned down the Clarets in the summer but has not entirely closed the door on a return.
“As a young boy you always want more. I gain confidence from the trainer’s words and I am ready when the opportunity comes. In the meantime, I have to keep all options open,” Maatsen said while on international duty in November.
“I may have to make difficult choices later, but then the club will indicate that. ‘This doesn’t mean I’m mad at you. We’ll continue to keep an eye on you,’ he [Burney boss Vincent Kompany] said. We still have contact from time to time.”
The report adds that Chelsea may still sanction a permanent exit for Maatsen to recoup funds for more incoming transfers. The versatile star has played just 195 minutes of Premier League football this season and could be moved on.
