IAN MAATSEN’S dad drove SIX HOURS to the Netherlands’ base camp following his son’s shock late call-up for the Euros.
The Chelsea man, 22, enjoyed an impressive loan spell with Borussia Dortmund this season, registering five goal contributions and starting the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.
He made Ronald Koeman’s provisional squad for the Euros, but was then cut from the final list.
Maatsen swiftly jetted off to Mykonos with girlfriend Emely Tuinder and was pictured chilling on a £500,000 yacht.
But an injury to Teun Koopmeiners then saw Koeman recall Maatsen ahead of their opening game of the tournament against Poland on Sunday.
The Blues star, who can play on either flank and at left-back, cut short his holiday to join up with the rest of the squad in Germany.
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And his dad, Edward, was tasked with driving six hours from his home in Vlaardingen to their Euros camp to drop off Maatsen’s boots and personal items.
Speaking to reporters, Edward said: “Ian first wanted to come first to the Netherlands, but that didn’t seem like a good idea to us.
“We know that as a family member you are always involved, this European Championship is the icing on the cake.
“As a parent you are very proud and do everything you can to keep it on track and to keep everything around it as stable as possible.”
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Although he has made Netherlands’ Euros squad, Maatsen is still yet to earn his first cap for his country.
Meanwhile, Koopmeiners is not the only Dutch injury blow after Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong was also ruled out of the tournament with an ankle injury.
EURO 2024 LIVE: LATEST UPDATES FROM THE TOURNAMENT
The Dutch have been drawn in Group D alongside Poland, France and Austria.
Manager Koeman won the country’s only major tournament as a player in 1988.
But the Netherlands have not reached the quarter-finals of the Euros since 2008.
Netherlands Euro 2024 guide
RONALD KOEMAN has overhauled Holland’s playing style after returning for a second stint in charge.
Captain Virgil van Dijk will be expected to be a stalwart in defence while Xavi Simons will be hoping for a breakout tournament. But they may miss injured Frenkie de Jong.
MANAGER: Ronald Koeman
Ex-Barcelona and Everton boss was the scourge of England as a player when he knocked Graham Taylor’s side out of World Cup qualifying in 1994.
STAR MAN: Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool star has won everything there is to win at club level and will be counted on to keep things tight at the back.
How Holland attack
The Netherlands will play with a typically Dutch patient possession-based build-up.
They will stagger their positions to play through the lines, but can be overly individualistic in the final third.
How Holland defend
The Dutch will play with a medium block, allowing the opposition to break the first line before engaging in the midfield area.
They can run into problems when they fail to protect the middle of the pitch.
Read the full Netherlands 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
