Ian Maatsen’s call-up to the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024 has sparked plenty of reactions. Maatsen replaces the injured Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners, both ruled out just days before the tournament in Germany.
De Jong, Barcelona’s midfield maestro, failed to recover from an ankle injury, a blow confirmed Monday night. Koopmeiners, the Atalanta star, sustained an injury during warm-ups against Iceland on Monday, leaving the Dutch FA scrambling to adjust.
The Athletic reports that Maatsen was originally excluded from Ronald Koeman’s final 26-man squad and now he finds himself thrust into the spotlight. The Dutch FA announced, “Koeman’s final selection now consists of 25 players,” with no word on further additions.
Maatsen, 22, had impressed during his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund from Chelsea, showcasing his versatility. After a sparse first half of the season with Chelsea, where he made just one Premier League start, Maatsen’s move to Dortmund saw him thrive. He played 23 games for the German side, starting in all seven matches during their Champions League run, which ended in a final loss to Real Madrid.
Fans and pundits have mixed feelings about the call-up. Dutch football analyst Jan Jansen tweeted, “Maatsen’s energy and versatility could be a game-changer for Oranje. He’s a diamond in the rough.” Meanwhile, some question his lack of senior international experience.
Having joined Chelsea in 2018 from PSV Eindhoven’s youth system, Maatsen has had loan spells at Charlton Athletic, Coventry City, and Burnley. Despite not yet being capped at senior level for the Netherlands, he received his first call-up in September 2023, showing promise.
Koeman’s decision to include Maatsen highlights the team’s adaptive strategy amid setbacks. The Dutch squad, already a favorite, will now rely on Maatsen’s dynamism to navigate the challenges ahead. Euro 2024 just got more interesting for Oranje fans.
