Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Argentine centre-back Aaron Anselmino will join the first-team for training following his early recall from a loan at Boca Juniors.
The highly-rated teenager, who developed through Boca’s academy, joined Chelsea in the summer for around £17m. Initially, it was agreed that he would remain on loan at his boyhood club for the 2024 season, but Chelsea exercised a clause in the agreement to bring him to Stamford Bridge in January.
Anselmino’s early arrival comes in the wake of Wesley Fofana’s likely season-ending hamstring injury, and with Benoit Badiashile also sidelined until February, it opens a clear path into the first-team squad for Anselmino—potentially even a starting role in cup competitions.
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“Another talent, another good player,” Maresca said of the 19-year-old in a press conference on Friday.
“The most important thing now is for him to arrive, settle in, find a home, and adjust properly. Coming from the other side of the world, he will need time to adapt to a new culture and environment. We will do everything we can to help him settle quickly.”
Maresca continued, “At the moment, the plan is for him to train with us, and we’ll make a decision from there. If he’s here, it’s because we believe he can help us. However, he is very young and coming from Argentina, with a different style of football and culture, so he’ll need time to adjust.”
Chelsea will face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday, hoping for a crucial win after a disappointing start to 2024, with just one point from their last three matches.