Chelsea have recalled young defender Aaron Anselmino from his loan spell at Boca Juniors.
Anselmino, 19, joined the Blues for £15.6million in August amid competition from Manchester United and was immediately loaned out to the Argentine heavyweights. The centre-back was due to spend the entire 2024/25 season with Boca, but after their league season ended in December, Anselmino returned to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is currently dealing with several injuries in his defense, including centre-backs Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile. It is unclear whether Anselmino will remain part of Maresca's squad or will be loaned out to another club, possibly sister team Strasbourg in France.
His recall frees up an international loan spot for Chelsea as clubs can send up to six players abroad temporarily under new FIFA rules. Midfielder Cesare Casadei has been tipped to go out on loan, with both Italian side Monza and Dutch side Feyenoord interested.
Anselmino was a regular for boyhood club Boca during his loan spell, making 18 appearances in all competitions before missing the last five league games with a hamstring injury. The right-footer made his debut for the club in 2023 and can also play as a defensive midfielder.
Boca president and former Argentine star Juan Roman Riquelme recently tipped Anselmino to break through at international level in the near future. “He has developed a lot,” Riquelme told ESPN.
“With the growth, the head he has and the desire to learn that he shows, he is on his way to becoming a great footballer. He is going to be a player for the national team. He is going to compete with the center .” -ridges.”
Anselmino could get his chance for the Blues when the FA Cup third round is played at home to League Two side Morecambe next Saturday. Maresca have used a variety of centre-back combinations this season, with Fofana, Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo and Axel Disasi all given chances in the Premier League.
Chelsea will visit Crystal Palace on Saturday and want to achieve their first win in four games. The Blues' title challenge was rocked by defeats to Fulham and Ipswich Town after a draw with Everton, which saw Maresca's side drop to fourth in the table, 10 points behind leaders Liverpool, who had played one more game.
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