{"id":543,"date":"2026-08-06T15:00:27","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T15:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=543"},"modified":"2026-08-06T15:00:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T15:00:27","slug":"xabi-alonso-considering-moving-21-year-old-chelsea-youngster-to-first-team-duties-after-pre-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=543","title":{"rendered":"Xabi Alonso considering moving 21-year-old Chelsea youngster to first team duties after pre-season"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Xabi Alonso has used Chelsea\u2019s pre-season tour to get a look at every single player he has available to him, and one youngster seems to have left an impression on the new manager.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Blues beat Western Sydney Wanderers in their opening friendly, before defeats against Tottenham and Juventus have started to expose some of the problems Alonso<\/a> has to overcome in his new job.<\/p>\n

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A lack of midfield depth has become apparent with the starting of 16-year-old Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli<\/a>, and the prospect of Enzo Fernandez<\/a> leaving highlights a need to strengthen still this summer.<\/p>\n

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Thoughts after another pre-season defeat under Xabi Alonso?\ud83e\udd14<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Xabi Alonso considering making Aaron Anselmino a Chelsea first team player<\/h2>\n

Chelsea have improved defensively with the signings of Maxence Lacroix<\/a> and Marco Palestra<\/a>, although a long list of potential exits could see more movement in that area.<\/p>\n

One of the forgotten names in the position is Aaron Anselmino<\/a>. The 21-year-old was signed with much promise, but has spent the majority of his time on loan away from the club.<\/p>\n

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After being part of Alonso\u2019s pre-season tour, the Spaniard has been left impressed by Anselmino, and as per Simon Phillips, is considering keeping the defender for this season.<\/p>\n

He said on his Substack<\/a>: \u201cSPTC sources\u00a0have heard that Alonso has been impressed with the quality and attitude of defender Aaron Anselmino so far.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a result of this and the fact that Anselmino can play as a full back or a centre back; so anywhere across the back four, Alonso is considering keeping the 21-year-old in his squad this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlonso also likes Anselmino because he is a strong and physical player with decent height and a strong mentality.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only concern he and the club have at the moment is the injury risk he brings, having been fairly injury prone so far in his early career.\u201d<\/p>\n

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What do you make of Asmir Begovic\u2019s Chelsea XI?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Anselmino facing new competition at Chelsea<\/h2>\n

Anselmino has suffered eight muscle injuries since being signed by Chelsea, and given the history of the likes of Reece James and Romeo Lavia, they will not want to be stung by this again.<\/p>\n

Featuring as a left-back will be seen as a strength in the Argentine\u2019s favour, although he could be about to face more competition for that role in the side.<\/p>\n

The Blues are closing in on the signing of Pep Chavarria<\/a>, a left-back who has been recommended to the club by Alonso.<\/p>\n

Anselmino has been waiting patiently for a chance at Stamford Bridge, and a strong end to the pre-season tour will be a great boost for his chances of minutes next season.<\/p>\n

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