Netherlands boss explains decision to drop Chelsea star from Euro 2024 squad | Football
Ian Maatsen, on loan at Borussia Dortmund from Chelsea, has been omitted from the Netherlands’ final squad for Euro 2024.
Two weeks ago, Maatsen was named in Ronald Koeman’s provisional 30-man squad for the European Championships, despite having never been capped at senior international level.
Nevertheless, many were hopeful that the young left-back would make the cut having excelled during his brief stint at Dortmund, playing a pivotal role in their run to the Champions League final.
However, on Wednesday Koeman named his final 26-man squad, with Maatsen one of the four names to drop out.
Marten de Roon, Nick Olij and Quinten Timber are the others to miss out, the latter the twin brother of Arsenal star Jurrien Timber who failed to make the provisional squad after missing nearly all season with injury.
Explaining why the 22-year-old was left out, Koeman said: ‘We have multiple options on his spot that I prefer.
‘Daley Blind had a fantastic season with Girona, Micky van de Ven plays left back at Tottenham, Nathan Ake…’
The former Everton and Barcelona manager also revealed how the Chelsea starlet took the news, adding: ‘I Facetimed Maatsen this morning.
‘No [it wasn’t a difficult conversation]. This is my job, I know these moments are coming.
‘I had to think about when to tell Ian Maatsen my decision because he still has to play a Champions League final.
‘I thought this morning was the right moment to tell him because he would still have three days left to focus on the final. He is disappointed.’
Maatsen, who Chelsea are expected to sell this summer, while be aiming to prove Koeman made a mistake when Dortmund battle Real Madrid for UCL glory on Saturday at Wembley.
The final Netherlands team contains several well-known names from Premier League past and present, including captain Virgil van Dijk and his Liverpool teammates Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo.
Spurs and Manchester City defenders Van de Ven and Ake are in, as are Brighton and Brentford goalkeepers Bart Verbruggen and Mark Flekken.
Oranje take on Canada and Iceland in pre-tournament friendlies next week, while in Germany they face a tricky group of France, Austria and Poland.