TL:DR – Borussia Dortmund outraged by Chelsea’s unexpected transfer choice | Football
- Aaron Anselmino bids farewell to Borussia Dortmund after Chelsea ends his loan prematurely.
- The 20-year-old defender returns to Stamford Bridge, filling gaps caused by injuries to Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill.
- Chelsea’s hopes of signing a new defender are stalled, with Marc Guehi opting for Manchester City.
- Dortmund expresses disappointment over Anselmino’s return.
- Head coach Liam Rosenior is keen to manage rising star Estevao’s minutes carefully.
Borussia Dortmund furious with Chelsea over shock transfer decision | Football
Anselmino will return to Stamford Bridge
Aaron Anselmino has said a tearful goodbye to his Borussia Dortmund teammates after Chelsea terminated his loan spell with the Bundesliga club. The 20-year-old, whose only appearance for his parent club since his move from Boca Juniors two years ago came in last summer’s Club World Cup, joined Dortmund in the summer and had made a positive impact over the course of his 10 appearances. Anselmino will return to Stamford Bridge, however, for the remainder of the campaign to bolster new head coach Liam Rosenior’s defensive options.
Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill are both currently unavailable due to injuries, leaving just Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, and Benoit Badiashile as options at centre-half. Chelsea had hoped to sign a new defender during the January transfer window but it appears they will be unable to sign top target Jeremy Jacquet until the summer.
The Blues did hold a measure of interest in Marc Guehi, but the England international turned down the chance to return to west London and sign for Manchester City instead. As a result, Chelsea have opted to recall Anselmino, and although they are within their rights to do so, the decision has, according to Bild, caused anger at Dortmund who were banking on the Argentine seeing out the season with them.
‘Centre-back Aaron Anselmino is leaving Borussia Dortmund and will return to Chelsea FC with immediate effect,’ read a blunt statement on the club’s official website. ‘Thank you, Aaron, for your time at BVB and all the best for your future!’
Have to manage his minutes
Rosenior, meanwhile, wants Chelsea to remain vigilant about Estevao’s workload after the 18-year-old produced a goal and an assist in their 3-1 victory at 10-man Crystal Palace on Sunday. The young Brazilian opened the scoring at Selhurst Park, then teed up compatriot Joao Pedro for the Blues’ second goal after the break.
Rosenior was happy to single out Estevao as a “special talent,” but said it remains critical not to pile too much on his plate. ‘Off the pitch, I know his family are here with him,’ said Rosenior. ‘I know the club have worked really, really hard for him to settle. I also know that Andrey Santos and Joao Pedro have helped him especially settle into the country.
‘With an 18-year-old with a talent like his, you have to manage his minutes. You have to manage the games that you think are the right moments for him to have an impact. ‘And I’ll keep doing that because I want him to have an outstanding season (and) I want him to have an outstanding career as well.’