Photo by Cameron Howard/Getty Images
Photo by Cameron Howard/Getty Images
Kendry Paez’s omission from Chelsea’s first-team photo on Wednesday comes as no surprise after Xabi Alonso confirmed he is not a part of his plans. But a surprise Chelsea player was also missing.
Chelsea posted a short video on Wednesday. All four of Chelsea’s goalkeepers, including Gaga Slonina and Teddy Sharman-Lowe, were present, while Geovany Quenda and Emmanuel Emegha were also seen.
The front row included Moises Caicedo, Reece James, Cole Palmer, and Levi Colwill on each side of the boss, perhaps highlighting their importance. Chelsea’s young gems were also not involved in the photo.
Reggie Watson, Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, and Tayo Subuloye have all been involved in first-team training this season, but they were not in the photo – like Paez. There was another missing too, in Aaron Anselmino.
Aaron Anselmino not included in Chelsea’s first-team photo
A part of the squad that went to Australia and Asia, Anselmino had impressed while showing versatility during the summer. There are many traits that Alonso might like about the £15m signing from Boca.
Squad photo time! 📸 pic.twitter.com/JJXvqbwd9x
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 16, 2026
But the defender picked up an injury against Johor Darul Ta’zim – the final game on tour – and has not been seen since. He did not earn a move away before the deadline, after two loan spells last season.
Indeed, Anselmino has stayed put and is expected to be a part of Alonso’s plans. But on Wednesday, Chelsea posted a short video of the players having their photo taken; Anselmino is nowhere to be seen.
What does the future hold for Aaron Anselmino?
Unless there is a specific reason for Anselmino’s absence, it feels pretty damning that the defender is not included. It could be that Anselmino is still recovering from his injury, but he is on the Premier League list.
However, Anselmino qualifies without taking up a place because he is under 21. Indeed, Anselmino is said to have returned to training ahead of the Carabao Cup clash against Luton and was an unused substitute.
But the mere fact that he is not in the photo suggests Anselmino is not a part of Alonso’s plans, much like Paez. The Ecuadorian got an assist for Chelsea’s U21 side on Tuesday in the EFL Trophy against Wycombe.
It will be interesting to find out what has happened regarding Anselmino, who impressed with Dortmund while on loan. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Anselmino playing for Chelsea’s CNG in the coming weeks.