Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea’s firesale of defenders is ongoing, with Benoit Badiashile expected to complete a move to Napoli and Axel Disasi set to move to Crystal Palace. But more are expected before the deadline.
Xabi Alonso arrived with as many as 10 centre-backs on the books, as Disasi and Aaron Anselmino returned from loan spells at West Ham and Strasbourg. Then, Chelsea signed Maxence Lacroix for £52m.
Alonso said that he only wants four or five centre-backs to choose from, while on tour. Since then, Trevoh Chalobah has gone to Como for £30m, while Badiashile and Disasi are set to leave on loan this week.
Doubts still remain over the futures of Tosin Adarabioyo, Mamadou Sarr and Aaron Anselmino, though the latter could stay put if loan offers do not arrive. Then, there is academy product Josh Acheampong.
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Dortmund considering a move for Chelsea’s Josh Acheampong
Acheampong is considered as one of Chelsea’s seven ‘untouchables’, but the youngster is hardly going to get the game time he desires. Right-back; Marco Palestra, Reece James and Malo Gusto are ahead of him.
Josh Acheampong of Chelsea
Photo by Steve Christo – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
At centre-back, he is not going to get a chance ahead of Levi Colwill, Lacroix and Wesley Fofana. Even on the right side of a back three, Fofana and James will be preferred. A loan makes sense for Acheampong.
According to German newspaper Bild, Dortmund could give Acheampong that opportunity. It is claimed that Dortmund want to sign Hector Fort from Barcelona, but Acheampong is considered an alternative.
The ‘beef’ between Chelsea and Dortmund that needs resolving
Back in January, after Liam Rosenior’s appointment, Anselmino was recalled by Chelsea. The Argentine had played just 10 times for Dortmund, with injury hampering his progress, but Dortmund liked him.
Aaron Anselmino of Borussia Dortmund controls the ball
Photo by Max Maiwald/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
He was due to see out the season at Dortmund, but Chelsea recalled him and sent him to Strasbourg to replace Sarr, who has been brought back to Chelsea to reunite with Rosenior and provide competition.
Dortmund didn’t want Anselmino to go, and it created a ‘beef’ between the two clubs. Anselmino was seen in tears as he said his goodbyes to Dortmund, managing just three appearances with Strasbourg.
Chelsea and Dortmund had a solid relationship beforehand
Before the Anselmino beef, Chelsea and Dortmund had a strong connection. The likes of Jamie Gittens, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ian Maatsen, Christian Pulisic and plenty of others swapped between clubs.
Chelsea convinced they have a 20-year-old youngster who is perfect for Xabi Alonso
Chelsea convinced they have a 20-year-old youngster who is perfect for Xabi Alonso
Nothing has emerged since the beef regarding Anselmino, but given the strength of the relationship beforehand, perhaps Acheampong can re-open the blockade that Anselmino’s return caused.
For now, it appears Dortmund will focus on signing Fort but if Barcelona choose to outprice the German side, Acheampong could be targeted and Chelsea may feel a dry loan is a move that suits all parties.