Home chelsea ligue 1 news premier league transfer news

Chelsea slammed for Aarón Anselmino treatment after Dortmund recall and Strasbourg loan

• 0 • min read
Table of Contents
Chelsea slammed for Aarón Anselmino treatment after Dortmund recall and Strasbourg loan
Chelsea have once again placed themselves at the centre of the transfer conversation after recalling Aarón Anselmino from his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund, only to immediately send the defender on loan to sister club Strasbourg.

The decision has drawn criticism across Europe, not only because of its abrupt impact on the player, but also due to the growing unease around Chelsea's use of the multi-club ownership (MCO) model under BlueCo.

Why Chelsea recalled Anselmino from Dortmund

Anselmino joined Chelsea from Boca Juniors in 2024 for a fee of £15.6 million and was loaned to Dortmund last summer to gain elite-level experience.

The 20-year-old quickly impressed in Germany, making 10 appearances and scoring once despite managing minor injury issues.

His form was strong enough to prompt Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl to publicly confirm his desire to explore a permanent deal.

Those public comments, however, appear to have triggered alarm bells at Stamford Bridge.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Chelsea were left "disappointed" by Dortmund's conduct, believing the Bundesliga club had crossed a line by attempting to persuade Anselmino to push for a permanent exit.

The Blues reportedly viewed this as an attempt to "tap up" a player they consider a key part of their long-term defensive plans.

Chelsea responded decisively by activating a recall clause in the loan agreement, effectively removing Anselmino from an environment they felt was undermining their authority.

Emotional exit and a sudden change of direction

The sudden nature of the recall clearly affected the player.

Dortmund released footage of Anselmino saying an emotional goodbye to teammates and staff at Signal Iduna Park, with the clip quickly going viral.

Initially, it was suggested that Anselmino could remain at Chelsea and be integrated into Liam Rosenior's first-team squad for the remainder of the season.

Instead, Chelsea opted for a different route.

Within days, the defender was redirected to Strasbourg for the rest of the 2024/25 campaign.

Why Strasbourg? Chelsea's strategic calculation

Strasbourg are part of the BlueCo network, which also owns Chelsea.

By moving Anselmino to France, the club can:
  • Control his development environment
  • Monitor his minutes, fitness data and tactical usage
  • Eliminate the risk of further third-party transfer pressure
From Chelsea's perspective, it is a protective move.

Anselmino will play regular top-flight football in Ligue 1 whilst remaining firmly within the club's ecosystem.

The move also neatly facilitated another key piece of Chelsea's defensive reshuffle.

Mamadou Sarr recall completes the puzzle

Anselmino's arrival in Alsace has opened the door for Mamadou Sarr to return to Stamford Bridge.

The 20-year-old centre-back, who had been on loan at Strasbourg, has been recalled and is expected to contribute immediately.

Rosenior is known to be a strong admirer of Sarr, viewing him as first-team ready.

In effect, Chelsea have swapped defenders between their clubs to suit their immediate needs - a textbook example of MCO squad management.

Growing scrutiny of Chelsea-Strasbourg transfers

Anselmino's situation is just one strand in a wider pattern.

When David Datro Fofana joined Strasbourg on deadline day, he became the 12th player to move between the two clubs this season alone.

Some transfers have been loans, others permanent deals, and even the head coach - Rosenior himself - has moved within the network, much to Strasbourg supporters' frustration.

There is no suggestion that any rules have been broken, but the volume and frequency of these deals are raising eyebrows among fans, rivals and regulators.

FIFA and UEFA watching closely

Multi-club ownership models are already under close observation by governing bodies.

FIFA and UEFA have both warned that MCOs can distort transfer markets and competitive balance.

Recent precedents include:
  • Clubs being removed from competitions due to conflicts of interest
  • Temporary bans on transfers between sister clubs when both qualify for the same European tournament
Chelsea's past transfer behaviour has already influenced regulation once before, notably when FIFA introduced loan limits in 2022 to curb "player hoarding."

Whilst Chelsea insist they are operating fully within the rules, UEFA has described MCOs as a "material threat to the integrity of European competitions" and is expected to push for tighter controls.

Chelsea's defence: Playing by the rules

From Chelsea's perspective, they are simply maximising a system that already exists.

Similar models have long been used by groups such as Red Bull, whilst clubs outside MCOs regularly recall and redirect loan players when circumstances change.

They would also point to tangible success stories:
  • Andrey Santos returning ready for first-team action
  • Đorđe Petrović being sold for a significant profit after development
  • Strasbourg benefiting from increased spending power and scouting reach

The reality for Strasbourg - and Anselmino

For Strasbourg, the trade-off is clear.

BlueCo investment has transformed the club financially and competitively, but ultimate control rests with Chelsea.

When Chelsea call, players move.

For Anselmino, the challenge now is to reset emotionally and prove himself again in Ligue 1.

For Chelsea, the message to Europe is unmistakable: their top young talents are not for sale, and any club perceived to be testing that stance will face swift consequences.

FAQ

Why did Chelsea recall Aarón Anselmino from Borussia Dortmund?

Chelsea were reportedly unhappy with Dortmund's public and private attempts to pursue a permanent transfer, viewing them as "tapping up."

Why was Anselmino sent to Strasbourg instead of staying at Chelsea?

Strasbourg are part of Chelsea's BlueCo ownership group, allowing Chelsea to control his development whilst ensuring regular first-team football.

What is BlueCo?

BlueCo is the ownership group led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital that controls both Chelsea and Strasbourg.

Are FIFA and UEFA investigating Chelsea?

There is no formal investigation announced, but governing bodies are closely monitoring multi-club ownership models and transfer activity.

Also Read:

Post a Comment


img