Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen admits holding talks with Feyenoord in the summer.
Maatsen is currently on-loan with Burnley.
He told Voetbalzone: “The interest was there anyway, but a transfer was not yet as close as I read everywhere.
“I did have an official conversation with Arne Slot, that was by telephone. I explained to him honestly that I have a goal: I want to succeed in England.
“When I finally chose Burnley I called him again, I thought that was so neat. He told me he appreciated that.”
Maatsen also revealed: “To be honest, I expected to be better after my time in Coventry, but you also have to be lucky with the trainer. I had a lesser relationship with Tuchel than with Lampard, for example.
‘He was satisfied with my year at Coventry, but I soon felt that I would not play a role again at Chelsea. It makes no sense for me to sit on the bench, so I chose not to go to the United States for a training camp in consultation with the club.”
Eventually Burnley came forward and Maatsen said: “I had read rumours on the internet that the club wanted me, but I didn’t know how serious that was. Suddenly I had Vincent Kompany on the phone, then you look up! To be honest, I didn’t know he was Burnley’s trainer, but he immediately said he saw it in me. He also talked about his plan of action and vision on football.
“If such a legend calls you personally, it makes an impression. I immediately asked Chelsea if I could watch Burnley. When I got there, it immediately felt right, which is why I made this choice.”
