Chelsea loanee and Champions League finalist Ian Maatsen will not be going to Euro 2024 this summer.
Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman has made the brave call to leave Maatsen out of his Euro 2024 squad despite a brilliant spell at Borussia Dortmund.
The left-back moved to the Bundesliga side in January after Chelsea decided to loan him out.
And the Dutchman has proved a fine asset under Edin Terzic, helping them reach the Champions League final against the odds where they will face Real Madrid on Saturday at Wembley – live on talKSPORT.
However, despite his fine form, the 22-year-old will be cheering on the Netherlands from home rather than join them at Euro 2024.
Commenting on his decision, Koeman said: “Why no Ian Maatsen? We have multiple options on his spot that I prefer.
“Daley Blind had a fantastic season with Girona, Micky van de Ven plays left-back at Tottenham, Nathan Ake.”
Maatsen is not the only high-profile player snubbed by Koeman, with Bologna hotshot Joshua Zirkzee and Championship Player of the Year Crysencio Summerville also missing out.
The youngster had been a part of the 30-man list named by Koeman earlier this month, but did not make the final squad.
Former Burnley loan star Maatsen has played every minute of Dortmund’s Champions League path since joining in the New Year and has scored three and assisted twice in all competitions.
Seven players from the Premier League have been called up including Netherlands captain and Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk.
Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven, Manchester City star Nathan Ake and Van Dijk’s Reds teammates Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch have all made the cut.
Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen will be hoping to be Netherlands’ No.1 choice goalkeeper, but he knows he is in a battle with Brentford’s Mark Flekken.
Maatsen was largely left out by Mauricio Pochettino this season at Chelsea, with Marc Cucurella, Ben Chilwell and Levi Colwill preferred at left-back.
A clause in his loan deal at Dortmund could see him sign permanently for £35million, but no decision has been made yet.
Discussing his future recently, he remarked: “I still have a contract and after the summer we’re going to decide where my future is going to be.
“I know I came here to Dortmund to prove myself that I can play on the highest level and the highest stage and that’s what I’m doing now.”