Released by Feyenoord before he was a teenager, Maatsen spent time at Sparta Rotterdam and PSV Eindhoven in his homeland before making the switch to Chelsea in the summer of 2018.

His physique and stature have often been used as slights against him but both coaches at Chelsea and Charlton Athletic, where he has spent his maiden season on loan this term, have focused instead of what he does offer - versatility, dedication and a technical ability you would expect from a product of the Dutch youth academy system.

Still only a teenager and busying his 5ft 6in frame among professionals a decade his senior, Maatsen has clocked up 34 appearances for the Addicks, who still have an outside shot of making the League One play-offs if results go their way on the final day of the season today.

It was at left-back that he made his Chelsea debut in a Carabao Cup tie against Grimsby Town in September 2019 but Maatsen has always been able to adapt to different positions on the field, whether in a three-man central defence, at wing-back or even in central midfield. When he scored his first goal in senior football last month at Doncaster Rovers, it was while operating on the right of a front three.

Yet even he was surprised when manager Lee Bowyer instructed him to play up front for the final stages of a league game back in November.

'We were 2-0 up and for the last 10 minutes the coach said to me that I am playing as the striker,' he recalled.

'I couldn't believe it! I enjoy learning new roles on the pitch and I'm happy to play where the team need me.'

You can follow Maatsen's journey in the latest episode of our Life on Loan series in the video above and hear him reflect on the various challenges of a first season in men's football, including the unique tests of moving away from home during the pandemic.

'I have to be strong,' he says. 'I know my parents and Chelsea are supporting me all the way.

'I feel as though they are around me, if not physically. I just get on with it and I think it will make me stronger mentally.'

Charlton host Hull City in the final game of the League One season today. They are one point off the final play-off position.