A significant turnover is expected at Chelsea this summer, particularly in defence, where there have been constant difficulties.
Chelsea have been persistently linked with a new centre-back due to a weakness in the heart of their rearguard, but manager Liam Rosenior might have hoped an internal solution would emerge.
One of these might have been Aaron Anselmino, who spent the first half of the season at Borussia Dortmund before moving to Strasbourg in January.
The Argentine’s first full season in Europe, though, is set to end in disaster, having made just three appearances for the Ligue 1 club and accumulated only 15 minutes of action in France.
He has been dogged by injury problems and, as AlsaSports reports, “unless there’s a surprise, the defender will not wear the Strasbourg shirt again”.
This promises to have significant implications for the Stamford Bridge side.
Anselmino’s failure is a big problem for Chelsea
Anselmino’s failure to impose himself at Strasbourg poses another major question back at Stamford Bridge, meanwhile.
He was recruited in a €16.5 million deal from Boca Juniors in August 2024 but spent the first six months back in Argentina. Since then, he has barely mustered any first-team football.
An acclimatisation period at Chelsea resulted in one appearance for the U21 side and two minutes of action at the Club World Cup in the 4-1 extra-time victory over Benfica. He was otherwise on the bench as Enzo Maresca led the Blues to the title.
Season 2025/26 has been little short of a nightmare for Anselmino, with his development stalled by persistent injury issues at both Dortmund and Strasbourg, leaving major doubts over his future and raising more doubts over the wisdom of the youth-driven transfer policy at Stamford Bridge.
What now for Anselmino?
Another loan seems inevitable. He is already a player that Chelsea would be eager to sell, but such is the fragility of their model they can scarcely justify selling Anselmino, who is under contract until 2031, at a loss. His current Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) is €13.7m – well under his €16.5m purchase price.
Data analytics firm SciSports’ Career Advice tool, which offers judgement on transfers based on numerous different factors from potential development and game time to style and formation, offers him several interesting possibilities.
Ligue 1 side Rennes is Anselmino’s top option when adjusted to prioritise playing time, which is surely what he needs at this point in his career. The Europe-bound club scores a massive 89.
Saudi Pro League sides Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal both score 87 with Ajax (86) and Fenerbahce (86) also emerging as excellent possible destinations.
Anselmino’s failure to make an impact at Dortmund or Strasbourg this season represents a major blow to Chelsea’s long-term strategy, but a successful loan next term could transform the outlook for the Argentine. The Blues will certainly hope this is the case as they can scarcely afford another transfer bust.
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Chelsea Transfer News Today: €85m deal targeted as scouting mission confirmed
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