Chelsea confirm January transfer decision with official statement released
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Chelsea have recalled young defender Aaron Anselmino from his loan spell with Boca Juniors. Anselmino, 19, joined the Blues for £15.6million in August amid competition from Manchester United and was immediately sent back on loan to the Argentine heavyweights. The centre-back had been due to spend the entire 2024-25 season with Boca but after their league campaign finished in December, Anselmino has returned to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is currently dealing with multiple injuries in his defence, including centre-backs Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile. It's unclear whether Anselmino will remain part of Maresca's squad or be loaned out to another club, potentially sister team Strasbourg in France.
His recall frees up an international loan spot for Chelsea, as under new FIFA rules clubs can only send a maximum of six players on temporary moves overseas. Midfielder Cesare Casadei has been tipped to go on loan, with Italian side Monza and Dutch outfit Feyenoord both interested.
Anselmino was a regular for boyhood club Boca during his loan spell, making 18 appearances in all competitions before missing their 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 Argentina 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 that he has and the desire to learn that he shows, he is on his way to being a great footballer. He is going to be a player for the national team. He is going to compete with the centre-backs.".
