Enzo Maresca reveals plan for Chelsea's new January arrival | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca reveals plan for Chelsea's new January arrival | OneFootball

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90min

·3 January 2025

Enzo Maresca reveals plan for Chelsea's new January arrival

Article image:Enzo Maresca reveals plan for Chelsea's new January arrival

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has revealed that Argentine centre-back Aaron Anselmino will train with the first-team after being recalled early from his loan spell at Boca Juniors.

The exciting teenager, who came through Boca's academy, officially signed for Chelsea over the summer in a deal worth around £17m. It was swiftly agreed that the defender would be loaned back to his boyhood club for the subsequent 12 months, but the Blues triggered a clause in that agreement to bring their new recruit to Stamford Bridge in January.


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Anselmino's premature arrival coincides with the news that French centre-back Wesley Fofana will likely miss the remainder of the campaign with a hamstring injury. Fellow defender Benoit Badiashile is also sidelined until February, opening a clear route into the first-team squad - if not a potential starting spot in cup competitions - for Anselmino.

"Another talent, another good player," Maresca said of the 19-year-old when addressing the media on Friday.

Article image:Enzo Maresca reveals plan for Chelsea's new January arrival

Aaron Anselmino made 18 appearances for Boca Juniors in 2024 / Daniel Jayo/GettyImages

"Now the most important thing is that he arrives here, adapts himself, finds a house, and settles in the right way. We need to then give him time because when you come from the other side of the world, you need to adapt, see a new world, a new culture. For sure we will try to help him adapt as quickly as possible."

Chelsea's Italian boss added: "At the moment, the plan is to keep him here to allow him to work with us, and then to take a decision.

"If he's here it's because we think he is a good player, and he can help us, but for sure he is very young, and he is coming from Argentina, with a completely different culture, different football, different level, so he needs time to adapt."

Chelsea travel to Crystal Palace's Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon searching for a much-needed win after a disappointing return of one point from their final three games of 2024.

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