Strasbourg now clear favourites to sign Chelsea star Anselmino | OneFootball

Chelsea defender Aaron Anselmino returned to Stamford Bridge this winter transfer window following a successful spell in Germany.

According to Fabrizio Romano, RC Strasbourg are now the clear favourites to land Anselmino on loan from Chelsea.

The Blues didn’t appreciate Borussia Dortmund’s comments about signing him permanently.

Lauded as a ‘tough competitor’, Chelsea see the 20-year-old’s future in West London and are now sending him to France to gain experience at their sister outfit.

Most likely, Chelsea will bring back Mamadou Sarr, who has worked with Liam Rosenior to bolster the defence while they continue to pursue Jeremy Jacquet.

The Blues need defensive reinforcement, with Levi Colwill still sidelined despite Rosenior’s announcement that he is back out on the grass.

Tosin Adarabioyo is also out for a few weeks, leaving the Club World Cup champions light at the back, prompting the need for defensive reinforcement.

If Chelsea can bring back Sarr and snap up the talented Jacquet, they should be in a better position defensively for the second half of the season.

If Chelsea do manage to land both Sarr and Jacquet, it should also spell the beginning of the end for Benoit Badiashile and Adarabioyo at Stamford Bridge.

Neither defender has come close to justifying their place in the squad this season, with performances that have been flat, error-prone and lacking authority.

Badiashile, once viewed as a long-term pillar of the back line, has stagnated badly.

Meanwhile, Adarabioyo has struggled to impose himself when given opportunities, offering little beyond basic cover.

For a club that claims to be building towards an elite, modern defence, carrying underwhelming options slows progress.

Fresh blood is clearly being prioritised, and rightly so.

With younger, more dynamic profiles coming through, Chelsea would be wise to cash in or cut ties and finally move on from defenders who have failed to raise the level.