Chelsea FC v Manchester United - Premier League 2026/27
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Aaron Anselmino popped up behind the Chelsea bench today amid his injury recovery.
Aaron Anselmino has been out of the picture for weeks now, quietly working through a stubborn muscle issue that killed any early momentum.
Xabi Alonso made it clear he won’t rush the Argentine kid back before he’s 100%, but the timing couldn’t be tighter. Chelsea just lost Maxence Lacroix to a hamstring problem against Liverpool, leaving a gaping hole in the backline.
With Lacroix now looking at a spell on the sidelines, Alonso is suddenly down to bare bones at centre-back, meaning as soon as Anselmino gets the nod from the medical staff, he has a chance.
Lacroix is set to miss the rest of 2026 through injury... what should Xabi Alonso do now? 😬
Switch to a back fourPlay Jorrel Hato at CB
Take a big bite, Lacroix, you will recover quickly when you have a good appetite. My mother has told me this from I was a child.
I don't think there is any problem with tactics. Tuchel uses three defenders, Conte uses three defenders. No problem.The thin lineup is the problem.
Hoping Lacroix recover as soon as possible. He is very important to the defense.I like Lacroix. I didn't touch Lacroix, no one touched him, he just tripped, I don't think it's a big problem, he will recover soon.
Aaron Anselmino returns to the stands for Chelsea
Mail reporter Kieran Gill caught Aaron Anselmino sitting just behind the Chelsea dugout, the first time anyone’s seen him around the squad in weeks. With Alonso already saying the kid will be in the mix the second his fitness levels are up, his return clearly isn’t far off.
‘Aaron Anselmino was sat behind the #CFC bench today. First time we’ve seen him in a while. Xabi Alonso indicated yesterday that when he eventually regains fitness, he will be in contention to play.’
Aaron Anselmino was sat behind the #CFC bench today. First time we’ve seen him in a while. Xabi Alonso indicated yesterday that when he eventually regains fitness, he will be in contention to play https://t.co/eISzZeayYJ
— Kieran Gill (@kierangill_DM) October 31, 2026
Alonso had this to say on Anselmino prior to Man United:
“He’s had a few things, a few injuries and it still will take a few weeks until he’s fully fit and we need to be cautious with him because he has had a few of them so he’s still not there.”
Chelsea’s defensive options are running scarce
With Lacroix out, Alonso is suddenly scrambling for answers in central defence. Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo are holding things together, but the depth falls off a cliff after that.
Wesley Fofana is the real headache right now, as he’s just been wildly hit-and-miss, switching off at key moments and handing away cheap chances with sloppy mistakes.
Or there is the opportunity to play Josh Acheampong at centre-back.