The sudden nature of the recall clearly impacted the player, who had settled well in Germany despite struggling with minor injuries. Anselmino made 10 appearances for the German side, scoring once, and had begun to establish himself as a reliable option in the Bundesliga.
Dortmund released footage of the defender bidding an emotional farewell to his teammates, a sign of the strong bonds he had formed during his short stint. The German club’s sporting director, Sebastian Kehl, had previously gone public with his desire to keep Anselmino, stating he would "pick up the phone" to Chelsea to discuss a longer stay. It appears those public declarations, combined with private machinations to secure a permanent deal, ultimately backfired, forcing Chelsea’s hand.
While the player may have been initially reluctant to leave a Champions League club where he was happy, the reality of his parent club’s fury left little room for negotiation. He now finds himself rerouted to France, a move designed to keep him within the club's sphere of influence.
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