Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea and Johor Darul Ta’zim played out a breathtaking 3-3 draw in Malaysia on Sunday afternoon as the tour of Asia and Australia came to a close – and Xabi Alonso will have learnt plenty.
Less than 24 hours after the win over Milan, Xabi Alonso named a side largely consisting of fringe players and youngsters. Tayo Subuloye, Teddy Sharman-Lowe, and Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli all started for Chelsea.
Reggie Watson played a large role too, coming on early. The teenager played in a slightly unnatural role within the back three, while Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, Geovany Quenda and Nicolas Jackson all started.
Having gone behind twice, Chelsea managed to secure a 3-3 draw in a game that involved both sides squaring up to each other on a regular basis. There were some good performances, but poor ones too.
Aaron Anselmino fails to take Xabi Alonso chance
However, for one player, it could be curtains for his time at Chelsea – certainly, under Xabi Alonso. Just 29 minutes into the match, Argentine talent Aaron Anselmino was forced off with what looked like an injury.
It was desperately bad luck for the ex-Boca Juniors talent, who had finally won his first start of the tour after previously making four substitute appearances. Alonso used the £15m man against Milan and Juve.
Chelsea Pre-Season Tour to Indonesia
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
But ask Dortmund and Strasbourg fans about Anselmino, and they will tell you that the defender cannot remain fit. It rang true on Sunday, as Anselmino was withdrawn just as he was getting his chance to shine.
He lined up on the left of a back three, having come on as a left-back in a four-man defence previously this summer. But he pulled up early and was replaced by Watson, with the defence shifting around.
Xabi Alonso learns he cannot trust the injury-prone Anselmino
At Dortmund, Anselmino managed 10 appearances during the first half of the season. He was an unused sub on five occasions, and yet, Anselmino missed 12 Dortmund games in Germany due to his hamstrings.
Then, the second half of the season saw Anselmino join Strasbourg, where he endured more injury problems and only managed three appearances. Anselmino will have hoped to remain fit this summer.
Indeed, Anselmino is yet to make his Chelsea debut competitively since joining the club, aside from a brief appearance in the Club World Cup. Having caught the eye with a few cameos, this was a real chance.
Alonso will have been aware of Anselmino’s past. He will also know Anselmino’s potential, but how can he trust him when the Argentine keeps on picking up muscle problems? Today was a blow for the defender.