4 months ago
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CHELSEA star Ian Maatsen has joined Jadon Sancho at Borussia Dortmund.
And the loan transfer did not go down well with baffled Blues supporters.
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GettySancho, 23, completed his temporary switch back to the Bundesliga giants after being frozen out by Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.
Now he will link up with rising star Maatsen.
The Dutch left-back – who can also play on the wing – has made 15 first-team appearances for Chelsea this season under Mauricio Pochettino after impressing at Burnley last term.
However, they total just 376 minutes of action, with just three starts under the new Chelsea manager.
Now the 21-year-old has completed his loan move to Dortmund, where he will battle for the Bundesliga top four and hope to progress in the Champions League knockout stages.
A statement from Chelsea on the move said: “Ian Maatsen will spend the remainder of the season on loan at Borussia Dortmund and has signed a contract extension with Chelsea until 2026.”
BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl said: “Due to our current personnel situation, we have decided to take action again in the left-back position in the winter.
“With his strengths, Ian fits our requirements profile. He is a player who has a lot of speed, has a strong left foot and can also be used in various positions.
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“We are very pleased that we were able to realize this loan before our first Bundesliga game of the year.”
On the loan transfer Maatsen added: “Borussia Dortmund tried hard to find me.
“I’ve been following BVB and its fans for a long time and was even at the Champions League game in Manchester in autumn 2022 to see the team live on the pitch.
“I’m very happy that it’s now the loan worked out. I promise that I will give everything for the team’s success and I’m really looking forward to the Yellow Wall.”
Edin Terzic’s side currently sit fifth in the table, six points behind RB Leipzig in fourth – and 15 adrift of shock leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
The loan transfer appeared to be in doubt amid little-known rules capping the number of loans abroad per club – but Chelsea have found a workaround to allow youngster Maatsen to leave.
But the decision prompted furious reactions from fans, especially with Marc Cucurella and Ben Chilwell still out with injury and Levi Colwill struggling for form.
One moaned: “So Poch allowed this guy to leave and chose to play Colwill at LB. What’s wrong Poch?”
Another raged: “He’s not serious mate… playing players out of position is really doing us damage but he continues to do that.”
A third added: “Horrible decision.”
Sancho took a brutal dig at Ten Hag after completing his return to Signal Iduna Park on Thursday.
The winger has escaped his exile under the ex-Ajax boss following their public spat – and is relishing the chance to get playing again.
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Sancho – who got the No10 shirt – said: “When I came into the dressing room today, it felt like coming home.
“I know the club inside and out, I’ve always been very close with the fans here and I’ve never lost contact with those in charge.
“I can’t wait to see my team-mates again, go out on the pitch, play football with a smile on my face, assist goals, score goals and help qualify for the Champions League.”
Sancho’s contract at Old Trafford still has two-and-a-half years to run.
And his parent club are said to be paying £100,000 of his weekly £250,000 salary while he is in Germany – as Dortmund pay a £3m loan fee which could rise to £3.4m.
It is understood Dortmund do not have an option to buy Sancho at the end of the season included in the loan arrangement.
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He trained with his new side after being exiled at CarringtonGetty
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