CHELSEA star Ian Maatsen has joined Jadon Sancho at Borussia Dortmund.
And the loan transfer did not go down well with baffled Blues supporters.
AlamyIan Maatsen has completed a shock loan move to Borussia Dortmund[/caption]
GettyHe follows Jadon Sancho to Signal Iduna Park[/caption]
Sancho, 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.
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.
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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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GettySancho sealed a loan switch from Manchester United[/caption]
He trained with his new side after being exiled at CarringtonGetty Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]