Dortmund beating PSG is GREAT news for Man Utd and Chelsea

Robin Bairner

7 May 2024 22:18 BST
3 min read

Dortmund, PSG, Erik ten Hag, Mauricio Pochettino — © IMAGO

Borussia Dortmund’s 2-0 aggregate win over PSG in the Champions League semi-final secured a place at Wembley for the Bundesliga club – but also handed a boost to Manchester United and Chelsea.

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Thanks to their triumph over the Ligue 1 champions, Dortmund have secured a bonus place in next season’s Champions League for the Bundesliga. In a particularly happy turn of events, it is Edin Terzic’s side who will benefit from their success as they are bound to finish fifth in their domestic league - something that may not even matter if they win the final on 1 June.

But there is a spin-off benefit for Man Utd and Chelsea – and not simply because it means that Tottenham, who would have been the Premier League club to benefit from an additional Champions League space, miss out on those potential riches.

Man Utd and Chelsea are both under pressure from Financial Fair Play regulations and are eager to sell deadwood players in the summer.

Jadon Sancho, on loan from Man Utd, and Ian Maatsen, on loan from Chelsea, played a key role as Dortmund beat PSG to reach the Champions League final, and also helped the club secure a massive income stream for next season in the process.

While it appeared something of a pipe dream for Dortmund to keep both players when they arrived in January, this influx of funds could be used to try to secure the futures of Sancho and Maatsen.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed as much as he tweeted: “Understand BVB will really try to keep both Ian Maatsen and Jadon Sancho with UCL fresh funds.”

Sancho and Maatsen in the spotlight

Sancho’s performance in the first-leg was particularly eye-catching and one that will have driven demand for his services – as well as his transfer fee – upwards over the space of just 90 minutes.

It was perfect for Man Utd, who need funds to complete a summer overhaul of their squad.

Maatsen’s qualities are also abundantly clear, with his displays in both legs proving he can mix it with the best.

Whether or not Sancho and Maatsen stay with BVB is largely irrelevant to Man Utd and Chelsea; what is key is that they have increased their marketability with outstanding performances on the big stage.

It is a happy coincidence, though, that the likeliest buyers, Dortmund, are set to be flooded with unexpected money to potentially make a deal happen.