Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen can consider himself very lucky to have made the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024.
That’s according to journalist Henk Spaan, who believes the player’s only real speciality is ‘packing suitcases’.
Maatsen has been shining on loan at Borussia Dortmund since January after joining them on loan following a frustrating few months at Chelsea.
He had returned to the Blues in the summer following a successful loan spell at Burnley in the Championship but failed to impress Mauricio Pochettino, who had ignored him in in favour of other options.
That prompted his temporary move to Borussia Dortmund, where he’s been showcasing his talents ever since, particularly in the Champions League.
His performance for the German side, for whom he’s managed one goal and two assists in 15 games in the Bundesliga and one goal in six games in the Champions League, have earned him a place in the Netherlands squad for this summers Euro 2024 tournament in Germany.
His inclusion was of little surprise to anyone who has watched him in Germany, but it seems Spaan is not a major fan.
“I understand less about Maatsen’s selection, especially now that Reiziger is acting as assistant,” he said.
“I have seen quite a few matches of the young national team, never did Maatsen excel. He does with Dortmund, who use him as a half striker.
“I think a fun fact is that he started at Sparta. Then it became Feyenoord and then PSV, before Chelsea picked him up. Packing suitcases is a speciality.”
