Ian Maatsen is yet to be capped at senior international level (Photo: Getty)
Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen will play at Euro 2024 after receiving an emergency call-up to the Netherlands squad.
Maatsen was named in the Ronald Koeman’s preliminary 30-man squad but failed to make the final 26 when squads were confirmed last week.
Despite impressing greatly during a six-month loan spell at Borussia Dortmund, where he helped the Bundesliga side reach the Champions League final, his omission wasn’t much of a surprise given he is yet to be capped at senior level.
But it turns out he will be heading back to Germany this summer after all, with Koeman re-calling the left-back at the last minute following an injury crisis.
Teams are allowed to make changes to their squad up until the start of the tournament in the case of an injury and with UEFA’s approval.
On Monday night it was announced that key player Frenkie De Jong would miss the Euros with an ankle injury.
Then on Tuesday, fellow midfielder Teun Koopmeiners also pulled out after injuring his groin in the warmup of Monday’s friendly win over Iceland.
Shortly after, the Netherlands put out the following statement: ‘Ian Maatsen will join Oranje’s training camp in Wolfsburg later today. See you soon, Ian!’
Maatsen, who was on holiday in Greece, himself posted on Instagram: ‘Hungry to hunt with the Lions’.
Given his form for Dortmund, many believe the 22-year-old should never have been cut from the squad in the first place, with Dortmund teammate Jadon Sancho replying on Instagram with: ‘Earned.’
The Netherlands have been drawn in Group D and kick-off their Euros against Poland on Sunday 16 June, before taking on France and Austria.
Maatsen isn’t expected to stay at Stamford Bridge beyond this summer with Chelsea looking to cash-in and raise funds, and a good showing in Germany could well up the defender’s value.
Dortmund want to sign him permanently and will make an opening bid soon, though it’s expected it will fall some way short of the Blues’ asking price.
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