Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen buzzing after scoring first senior goal for Charlton but coy on future beyond this season
BY LOUIS MENDEZ
Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen is off the mark as he bagged the first goal of his senior career during Charlton’s 1-0 win at Doncaster Rovers.
The 19-year-old latched on to Diallang Jaiyesimi’s flick-on 12 minutes into the Addicks’ trip to the Keepmoat Stadium and powered an impressive finish beyond Louis Jones in the Donny goal.
New Addicks boss Nigel Adkins had played the young Dutchman, who is naturally a left-back, on the right-wing and it paid dividends as he found himself in dangerous attacking positions time and again.
Maatsen, who has represented the Netherlands at youth levels, was delighted to have found the back of the net for the first time.
He said: “I’m very excited about it. Buzzing, of course. My first professional goal in men’s football. I’m very happy.
“[Doncaster defender Reece James] put me under pressure and I thought maybe he was going to foul me and I felt contact but I thought this was a good opportunity to get a shot off and it went in. It’s big. I was in a different position. I like to play on the right and give everything. It pays off with a goal and I’m very happy.
“It was a tough game but we fought for each other and gave each other strength. Luckily, I scored the goal and we got a big three points away from home.
“We played well. We didn’t play our football but we stuck together as a team and fought for each other- the end result is three points.
“[Playing out of position on the right] is good for my experience as well. I enjoyed it and I try to give the best whenever I can and it worked out. [Adkins] said: ‘Do your thing, we believe in you. Believe in yourself, you’re a good player, just show us.’
“[Adkins is] a very positive gaffer. He’s very detailed. We’re told the same stuff every day, to keep practising to do the basics right. We did that and we’ve got three points now and we’ll go to the next one as well.”
Maatsen still has three years left on his Chelsea contract. He is on a season-long switch from Stamford Bridge but is unsure whether he will be back out on loan again next season.
“[I just want to] finish this season at Charlton very well and then we’ll see what the future brings. I’m looking forward to it. It’s quite tough. I’m a young guy coming over from Holland. It’s gone well and I hope for more.”
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