It’s been a season of ups and downs for Chelsea youngster Ian Maatsen, who is currently preparing for this weekend’s Champions League final against Real Madrid.
Maatsen was a bright spark for the Blues in pre season and turned down a permanent move to Burnley last summer to stay and fight for his place.
Unfortunately for the Dutchman opportunities were hard to come by, and he started just one Premier League game in the first half of the season.
The 22-year-old was expected to leave permanently in January but ended up extending his contract with a £35m release clause inserted before joining Borussia Dortmund.
The left back has excelled in Germany, quickly establishing himself as key member of the team, and has played a vital role in Dortmund’s run to the Champions League final.
Unsurprisingly his form earned him a call up to The Netherland’s provisional squad for Euro 2024, however in surprising news on Wednesday afternoon Maatsen was revealed as one of three players to miss out on Ronald Koeman’s final squad.
Maatsen is uncapped at senior level for the Dutch, but one would have expected his form would have been enough to earn him a place in the final squad.
It’s likely a Champions League triumph on Saturday night will go someway to softening the blow, with Maatsen sure to make many appearances in the famous orange shirt in years to come.