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Athletic: Chelsea could change plan over 'impressive… physical' defender

Originally posted on Chelsea News | Last updated Aug 12, 2025 10:59 AM ET

Since the news that Levi Colwill had torn his ACL came out a week ago, there’s been a lot of debate about what Chelsea would and should do.

The briefs from the club have been consistent – they’re happy with the defenders they’ve already got, and wouldn’t necessarily be jumping into the market to buy a replacement.

However they were bound to say that whether it was true or not, and we still suspect they’d jump on a player who can slot right into the team if one were to come up at the right price point.

Another suggestion in the early days of last week was that Renato Veiga, who is very much on the way out and was close to a move to Atletico Madrid last month, could be kept around at the club instead. That idea has been shot down repeatedly – he wants to go, and Chelsea want to bank the big profit they will make on him.

Chelsea consider keeping Argentine defender around

Despite that, there’s another alternative that hasn’t been talked about much – although it was raised today in the Athletic’s Deal Sheet. They note that young Aaron Anselmino, who signed a year ago and returned from a loan back to Boca Juniors in January to start adapting to life in England, could be kept in the first team rather than loaned out as was the plan:

“Aaron Anselmino, who specialised in playing as the middle of three defenders in possession at Boca Juniors and could be kept around this season if Maresca deems him ready,” they wrote.

Chelsea have big decision over Anselmino potential and game time

The difference would be that Anselmino would really be providing depth. He would be behind probably all of Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile in the pecking order, at least initially.

Barring a serious wave of injuries, he would probably only see action in the cups.

This article first appeared on Chelsea News and was syndicated with permission.

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