MAATSEN HAS SIGHTS SET ON SUNDERLAND

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Left-back looking forward to Friday's Turf Moor return

2023-03-30T15:30:00.000Z

MAATSEN HAS SIGHTS SET ON SUNDERLAND

Left-back looking forward to Friday's Turf Moor return

2023-03-30T15:30:00.000Z

Left-back looking forward to Friday's Turf Moor return

The Clarets return to Championship action on Friday evening, with a visit from Sunderland.

Ahead of the game, Ian Maatsen sat down with the media to talk the international break, being fully focussed on the next nine games and reuniting with the fans at Turf Moor.

"I think we’ve achieved nothing so far, as the manager mentions. So, we just take these nine games as improvement even more than previous games before. I think we’re all back now from the national team, that’s done now, we’re back here at the training ground - fully focussed on our principles.”

The left-back has been enjoying a successful loan spell with the Clarets this season, and has four goals and six assists to his name.

“It’s important [the role of full backs in this Burnley team], I think in this team everyone can score and everyone can make an effort. I think my role is very good so far, I feel confident and I’m glad that I’ve scored a couple of goals for the team and helped them. I just want to continue doing that.”

Burnley faced Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in October 2022, with the Clarets staging an incredible second-half comeback with three goals inside 19 minutes to run out 4-2 winners on the day.

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“I wasn’t involved because of my foot injury but I saw the game and it says something about the team, that we have a lot of confidence, never give up and give everything until the last moment.”

The Clarets are unbeaten at home this season and Maatsen is looking forward to seeing the home fans on Friday night.

“It’s special. I think when you are playing at home, I have no fear, I'm full of confidence. It shows every time I come there, the fans, everyone is behind us, for every single player. You really feel that. When you play at home you want to get even more from the fans, it gives you an extra boost.”

However, despite the positive results and league standing, the squad and coaching staff are staying focussed on each game at a time.

“Every time the coach reminds us, I think it’s really clear what we want to do as this team. At the moment, now with nine games left, it’s not over yet. We take these nine games to gain more confidence, to improve ourselves as a team and as individuals."

Then when asked about his own future, he added: “It’s been a big season. It’s going very well; we’re not finished yet as I said. I’m just going to continue to keep this line going and we’ll see when the season finishes where my plan is.

“There haven't been talks as of yet [with Chelsea]. My focus is on Burnley and finishing the season. After that we will see what my plan is for next season.

“It’s always nice to hear [the fans talk positively about me]. I will keep my options open.”

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In terms of development during the season, he believes he has seen improvements to his game throughout the course of the campaign so far.

“That’s what you need as a player. I’ve been playing week in, week out, it gives me confidence and I can show my qualities to the people around the world, it’s very important at the moment.

“I think just finishing the games [has helped me to improve], like conditioning wise, I feel stronger, mentally stronger. I know the game now a lot better than before. I think I’ve learned a lot in this period.”

Finally, Maatsen was also asked about his international duty, having linked up with the Netherlands U21s during the break. With the European Championships on the horizon in the summer, he added: “It’s a thing to play in for myself, at the moment it’s nice to have that in mind but I just want to focus on Burnley, finish the season well and I’m ready for whatever.”

The defender will face teammate Ameen Al-Dakhil in the competition, with the Netherlands in the same group as the Belgian U21s, he said: “Yeah, so that will be fine.”

When asked who would win though, he added: “Obviously Holland!”