As you might recall, Ian Maatsen wasn’t having the best time at Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino, which is why the defender was sent on loan to Borussia Dortmund.
The left-back has admitted the move was never part of his plans, but he went with it anyway, which has paid off, since he is now a regular starter for the Bundesliga side.
However, his good form away from Chelsea hasn’t earned him a call up to the national A team, with him having to make do with the U21s once again, which he seemed a bit annoyed about in a press conference on Tuesday, relayed by NOS.
Asked about him being snubbed again by Ronald Koeman, he said: “I think I belong there. Anyway, it is what it is. I just have to show that I am the best player here. There will probably come a time when the national manager will call me up.”
Revealing that playing the Euros with the Netherlands is a ‘childhood dream’ of his, he knows he needs to ‘remain realistic’ and only time will tell whether he gets his chance.
In the meantime, he will be giving his all with Borussia Dortmund ahead of a potential return to Chelsea this summer.
For now, he’s happy where he is: “I wanted to make a good move to get more minutes, and that has worked out well. Sometimes I don’t really dwell on the moment, but you could say it’s going like an express train at the moment.”
Returning to Chelsea last summer after a great season on loan at Burnley, many expected the Dutchman to get some time to prove himself at Stamford Bridge, which never really happened.
