Latest news with #IanMaatsen
News18
3 days ago
- Sport
- News18
UEFA U21 EURO 2025: Bellingham, Elliott, Torre & Mattsen
Last Updated: The UEFA U21 Championship 2025 will feature future stars like Jobe Bellingham, Harvey Elliott, Mathys Tel, Paul Wanner, Wilfried Gnonto, Pablo Torre, Jorrel Hato and Ian Maatsen. As the next generation of football icons grace Europe's grandest youth stage, the UEFA U21 Championship 2025, India's premier destination for global football, promises a glimpse into the future of the sport. Here are some future stars playing for top clubs, many already making waves globally, that every football fan should watch out for: Jobe Bellingham | Age: 19 | Position: Midfielder | Club: Borussia Dortmund Jude Bellingham's younger brother, Jobe, is a burgeoning creative force. Composed and intelligent on the ball, his maturity defies his age. Possessing exceptional ball control and tactical awareness, he is on the cusp of a major transfer and a potential senior England call-up. A key figure in Liverpool's squad, Elliott combines streetwise flair with an unwavering work ethic. A previous U21 EURO champion, he brings experience, leadership, and game-changing creativity to the U21s. Mathys Tel | Age: 19 | Position: Forward | Club: Tottenham Hotspur Explosive, fearless, and clinical, Tel is a striker built for the spotlight. Having impressed in the Bundesliga and now at Spurs, he embodies the new wave of French attackers: electrifying and impossible to overlook. Once Bayern Munich's youngest debutant, Wanner is developing into a commanding midfield presence. His precise passing and vision allow him to orchestrate play like a seasoned professional, representing the future of Germany's midfield. Already a senior international for Italy, Gnonto is a dynamic forward with dazzling footwork and fierce determination. He injects charisma and edge into every attack, capable of producing game-changing moments and spectacular goals. Pablo Torre | Age: 21 | Position: Midfielder | Club: Barcelona A classic playmaker with modern sensibilities, Torre operates with vision and grace. Considered one of Barcelona's most promising young midfielders, he combines the famed La Masia touch with a desire to lead Spain's next generation. Jorrel Hato | Age: 18 | Position: Defender | Club: Ajax Composed under pressure and commanding in defence, Hato occasionally captains Ajax—a remarkable achievement at his age. His positional awareness and leadership qualities suggest a long and successful international career. Ian Maatsen | Age: 23 | Position: Left-back | Club: Aston Villa (on loan from Chelsea) A modern full-back with attacking flair and defensive diligence, Maatsen has impressed in both the Premier League and Europe. Versatile and composed, he brings valuable top-level experience to a promising Dutch squad. Witness The Future Of Football ⚽️From England's Jobe Bellingham and Harvey Elliott, to Portugal's Geovany Quenda, Spain's Gerard Martín, and Netherlands' Ian Maatsen, the next generation of superstars are in action at the UEFA Under-21 European Championship ⭐️ Watch all the… — FanCode (@FanCode) June 11, 2025 Where to watch the UEFA U21 Championship 2025 in India? The UEFA European Under-21 Championship can be streamed live on FanCode.
The Star
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Villa denied Champions League spot as Man Utd end woeful season with victory
Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Aston Villa - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - May 25, 2025 Manchester United's Amad Diallo in action with Aston Villa's Ian Maatsen REUTERS/Chris Radburn MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Manchester United ended their disappointing season with a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday on the final day of the Premier League campaign, denying the visitors a Champions League qualification spot in the process. United surprisingly dominated the first half against a side chasing a top-five finish, with the hosts' cause aided further after Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was sent off just before the break. Against the run of play, Morgan Rogers appeared to have netted Villa a crucial goal 18 minutes from time, but referee Thomas Bramall ruled that he had fouled United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir before slotting home. Furious Villa's mood worsened after Amad Diallo immediately headed the hosts in front down the other end, before Christian Eriksen's penalty ensured United finished 15th and sixth-placed Villa had to settle for a place in the Europa League next term. (Reporting by Peter Hall; Editing by Toby Davis)
The Star
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Villa cruise past sorry Spurs to boost Champions League push
Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - May 16, 2025 Aston Villa's Ian Maatsen and Aston Villa's John McGinn in action with Tottenham Hotspur's Djed Spence Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers BIRMINGHAM (Reuters) -High-flying Aston Villa dispatched Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in the Premier League on Friday to improve their chances of more Champions League football and leave their visitors firmly focused on next week's Europa League final. With Villa dominating possession in a party atmosphere for their final home game of the season, the breakthrough came in the 59th minute when centre-back Ezri Konsa whipped home after Ollie Watkins headed the ball into his path from a corner. Midfielder Boubacar Kamara rifled home Villa's second in the 73rd minute to end the tepid resistance of Spurs, who hope to salvage an otherwise miserable season in Bilbao next week if they can beat Manchester United to lift the Europa League. With one fixture left, Villa went fourth in the Premier League with the win - a point above Manchester City in the last Champions League qualifying spot albeit Pep Guardiola's side have two games more to play. Chelsea, in sixth, were also playing on Friday in the later kickoff. (Reporting by Andrew Cawthorne, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Villa cruise past sorry Spurs to boost Champions League push
Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - May 16, 2025 Aston Villa's Ian Maatsen and Aston Villa's John McGinn in action with Tottenham Hotspur's Djed Spence Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers REUTERS BIRMINGHAM - High-flying Aston Villa dispatched Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in the Premier League on Friday to improve their chances of more Champions League football and leave their visitors firmly focused on next week's Europa League final. With Villa dominating possession in a party atmosphere for their final home game of the season, the breakthrough came in the 59th minute when centre-back Ezri Konsa whipped home after Ollie Watkins headed the ball into his path from a corner. Midfielder Boubacar Kamara rifled home Villa's second in the 73rd minute to end the tepid resistance of Spurs, who hope to salvage an otherwise miserable season in Bilbao next week if they can beat Manchester United to lift the Europa League. With one fixture left, Villa went fourth in the Premier League with the win - a point above Manchester City in the last Champions League qualifying spot albeit Pep Guardiola's side have two games more to play. Chelsea, in sixth, were also playing on Friday in the later kickoff. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aston Villa should be Premier League title contenders next season
BIRMINGHAM — When you say it out loud it sounds a bit wild but when you think about it, it really isn't: Aston Villa should be Premier League title contenders next season. Even the most ardent Villa supporter may raise an eyebrow at that statement, but why? Advertisement Days after beating PSG in the Champions League quarterfinal second leg (bowing out narrowly 5-4 on aggregate) they battered fellow Champions League chasers Newcastle 4-1. And they could have scored way more. The confidence and positivity is flowing at Villa Park as they head to Manchester City on Tuesday (watch live, 3pm ET on USA and online via in a key game in the crowded race for Champions League qualification. Pro Soccer Talk asked the scorer of the go-ahead goal against Newcastle, Ian Maatsen, if this Villa squad still have plenty more left to give and to achieve. "Yes, of course. I think we've got a strong team, we've got exceptional players, and everyone can show their part," Maatsen said. "We're not finished yet, so we have to keep going. There are a few games more. It's very important, so hopefully we can finish strong to get to Europe next season." Are the stars aligning for a Villa title challenge in 2025-26? As for next season, it could be good timing for Villa to mount a title charge. Think about it. It all adds up. Advertisement They have ambitious and wealthy owners. They have one of the best tacticians in world football in Unai Emery orchestrating it all. Famed sporting director Monchi working his magic in the transfer market to build an exceptional squad. When you stroll around Villa Park, everything off the pitch screams of a team who should be challenging for the title consistently. This notion of Villa being title contenders shouldn't be a 'hot take' because just look at their squad. Look at their infrastructure. Open your eyes and look at everything and the direction it's heading in. Youngster Morgan Rogers is a rising star as a playmaker. Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans and John McGinn dominate midfield. Ollie Watkins is among the best forwards in the Premier League. They have the best goalkeeper on the planet, according to FIFA's awards in the last two years, in Emiliano Martinez. Their defense is solid and full of internationals. Their entire team is full of internationals and the level doesn't drop when subs come on. They added the incredible quality of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio on loan in January. Fitness key as deep squad shows quality Add in that they now have a fully-fit squad for the first time this season, we are seeing what this deep Villa squad is truly capable of. Imagine if they have more luck with injuries next season? Advertisement "Always in my career as a coach when I performed better is when I had players who are available and two players for each position, more or less, playing and performing well," Emery said. "Now we are in this moment, our momentum is the squad of players momentum. Not only 11 players. They are showing it. It is necessary to have players ready to play. Today was the first time this season I needed to take some players out of the squad because every player was available. I told the players, it's the first time. It's good for me to take this decision but I want a moment like that with the players available and ready to play and performing in our demands." In this late Champions League push and their run to the FA Cup semifinals, everything is trending in the right direction for the end of this season and heading into the next. Villa's unexpected run to the Champions League quarterfinals seems to have given this Villa squad the last little bit of belief they needed to feel like they truly belong at the top. They've broken through their glass ceiling. Many of their key players are entering their prime. Watkins, McGinn, Martinez, Konsa, Tielemans are all ready to win now. Unlike most of the Premier League's elite, a rebuild isn't needed at Villa. They are a couple of careful, and costly, summer additions away from being legit title contenders. After winning five league games on the spin and 10 of their last 11 in all competitions, are Villa in their best form of the season right now? Advertisement "Yes," Emery said. "Recovering some players getting injured, now is very important how we can use different players in different matches, the starting 11 players and the subs. Because one problem we had was that we had some players injured, not fit, we have some players not getting the level we needed. Of course in January were demanding to try to get some players to join to give us more level to set and to try to get. We are showing we are in this way. But there is still work to do, still five matches to play in the Premier League. Still the objective we have as well and challenge in the FA Cup. But we are really happy and so, so demanding with the players every day to try to be focused on each match." Villa, Emery in a hurry to make the most of their moment There is a hunger, bordering on annoyance, at Villa. Their players are defiant to prove they belong with the big boys and be in Champions League year in, year out. Emery demands his players are fuming if they aren't playing. Emery smiled when asked about Watkins revealing how upset he was to not start in the recent Champions League quarterfinals. He loves that drive, that spirit to prove everyone wrong. He has it as a coach and the squad he assembles has it too. Advertisement There is huge appetite at Villa to enter the elite, something they haven't done for decades, and stay there. And why can't they do something special next season and win it all? Or at least be in the conversation? Will Liverpool have another exceptional season and can they spend big in the areas where they clearly need to strengthen? Can Arsenal strengthen and find the final few pieces of the jigsaw they need to finally win the title? What is going to happen with new-look Manchester City on and off the pitch? Will other heavyweights like Chelsea, Tottenham and Man United get their acts together as they continue lengthy rebuilds? Are Newcastle, like Villa, perhaps being overlooked for a title challenge? While we contemplate all of this Villa are in the background, having already built an incredibly balanced and deep squad. Emery now resembles the master conductor who looks down at his perfectly constructed, and fully-fit, orchestra with steely eyes while waving his hands grandly a la Fantasia. He knows this is their time. When you think about it again, the only teams who should have bigger title hopes than Villa heading into next season are Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City. Advertisement As Villa head to City on Tuesday in a massive clash in the scrap for Champions League qualification, how are they feeling? "It [the win against Newcastle] gives us a lot of confidence of course, but away from home it's always tough to play, especially against Manchester City. They're also a top team that wants to compete for Europe and we want to do the same. We have to be prepared, but also the focus is in our hands. We know what we're capable of and we go there and show character and show energy that we can win there as well," Maatsen said. "I think at home, like I said, we are feeling very strong, comfortable, we know the fans are giving such energy and transmit it to us. If we play like this away from home it's always difficult but we've got the squad, we've got the belief and the confidence that we can perform away against big teams." Villa should now be considered as one of the big teams. It's their final step to take in this remarkable rebuild orchestrated by Emery. They should be Premier League title contenders next season. If they're not then quite frankly it would be disappointing.
