Chelsea have moved quickly in the January transfer window by recalling young Argentine centre-back Aaron Anselmino from his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund. With defensive reinforcements high on their priority list, the Blues decided to activate a recall clause that allows them to bring the highly rated teenager back to Stamford Bridge earlier than planned.
The decision has reportedly not gone down well in Germany, with Dortmund said to be unhappy at losing a player they were counting on for the rest of the season. For Chelsea, however, the move underlines their intent to strengthen at the back and keep promising talent close as they look to steady their campaign in the second half of the season.
When did Chelsea sign Aaron Anselmino? And how did they manage to recall the player from Dortmund loan
Chelsea signed Aaron Anselmino from Boca Juniors in 2024 and initially allowed the young defender to stay on loan in Argentina for the 2024–25 season. He returned to Stamford Bridge last summer and made his Chelsea debut as a late substitute in a 4–1 Club World Cup win over Benfica.
Soon after, Anselmino joined Borussia Dortmund on a season-long loan. Crucially, that deal included a break clause, giving Chelsea the right to recall him mid-season. With the Blues looking to bolster their defence, they chose to activate that option, cutting his loan short.
The move has reportedly angered Dortmund’s hierarchy, especially as Anselmino had featured 10 times this season and was settling in well. Emotions were clear at his departure too, with the teenager seen in tears while saying goodbye to teammates, a moment the German club shared in a farewell video following confirmation of his return to England.
Chelsea Star Aaron Anselmino bids tearful farewell to Borussia Dortmund as German Club are extremely upset with the Blues
Borussia Dortmund were caught off guard by Aaron Anselmino’s sudden departure, having received no prior warning about Chelsea’s decision to recall the young defender. The unexpected move has left the Bundesliga club short-handed at the back and under pressure to find a replacement during the final week of the January transfer window.
The frustration is heightened by how highly Anselmino was regarded at the club. Head coach Niko Kovač had recently praised the Argentine, highlighting his strong performances, resilience after early setbacks, and reliability whenever called upon. His words underline why Dortmund viewed Anselmino as a dependable option, and why his abrupt return to London has come as a real blow.
Will Chelsea sign another defender after recalling Aaron Anselmino?
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Chelsea might do more business in the remaining days of the January Transfer Window. As for Aaron Anselmino, although bidding farewell to Dortmund was a tearful one, he is now expected to get some opportunities at Stamford Bridge to showcase his abilities and try to nail a spot in Chelsea's starting eleven.
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