Chelsea: Enzo Maresca sends Aaron Anselmino warning after Blues return | OneFootball

Blues recalled defender amid defensive injury crisis

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Enzo Maresca has warned exciting talent Aaron Anselmino will need time to adapt to English football, after he was recalled in the midst of Chelsea’s centre-back injury crisis.

Argentinian youngster Anselmino was signed from Boca Juniors last summer in a deal that could be worth £17million, but was immediately sent back on loan for the remainder of the local season.

However, the Blues have called the 19-year-old back to Cobham at the start of the transfer window in the hope of easing his integration into Maresca’s squad.

“Then we need to give him time, because when you come from the other part of the world, you need to adapt, you need to see a new world, a new culture.

“But for sure we are going to try to help him to adapt as soon as possible.”

Aaron Anselmino has returned to Chelsea

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Those comments suggest Chelsea’s decision to recall Anselmino is not a direct result of both Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana being sidelined with hamstring problems. Badiashile will be out until at least next month, while Fofana could miss the entirety of the season.

However, when asked whether Anselmino is ready to feature in the second half of the campaign, Maresca said: “If he's here it's because we think he's a good player and he can help us.

“But for sure he's very young and he's coming from Argentina, completely different culture, different football, different level. So he needs time for that.”