Aston Villa defender Ian Maatsen has opened up about his relationship with Feyenoord, and how he still doesn’t believe their reason for cutting him as a youngster.
The defender has been speaking to Helden Magazine, relayed by FR-Fans, about his time at the Dutch club and his departure.
Maatsen started his career with Feyenoord’s youth set up but left on a free transfer to join Sparta Youth in 2013.
From there it’s been a steady rise for him as he moved to PSV and then Chelsea, where he made his way up the youth ranks before enjoying successful loan deals at Charlton, Coventry and then Burnley.
Last year proved to be his most successful yet when he spent the second half of the season on loan at Borussia Dortmund, establishing himself as a key player as they made it to the Champions League final.
That eventually saw him join Aston Villa in a €44.5m deal, with Unai Emery’s side moving quickly to secure his signature ahead of Dortmund as they tried to make his move a permanent one.
The player is now reflecting on what’s been a busy career so far given he’s only 22-years-old, and that includes a look back at what happened at Feyenoord.
“I can still remember that conversation very well,” the Aston Villa defender said regarding the Dutch club letting him go.
“They said I had ‘no game experience’. I still don’t believe that. To this day I don’t know the real reason.”
He later turned down the chance to return in the summer of 2022, instead preferring to move to Burnley, a decision that worked out well for him. And he confirmed talks had taken place.
“Arne Slot called me and told me that Feyenoord wanted to bring me back,” he added.
