Niko Kovac praises Chelsea star Aaron Anselmino | OneFootball

Chelsea shelled out £15.6 million to sign Aaron Anselmino barely a year after his debut for Boca Juniors.

What first looked like Chelsea mindlessly spending money again could turn out to be a masterstroke.

Anselmino initially struggled to break into the first team at Chelsea and sustained injuries that bogged him down.

The Blues decided that sending him on loan would be best for his development, and they sanctioned a one-year deal to join Borussia Dortmund.

The Chelsea defender has helped Dortmund keep a clean sheet in his three Bundesliga appearances, winning 57 percent of his ground and 80% of his aerial duels.

Anselmino has been equally impressive in the Champions League, where he has won 75% of his aerial duels, helped to keep a clean sheet, and provided an assist in the win over Villarreal.

Dortmund boss Niko Kovac praised the 20-year-old after his performance against Villarreal this week.

Kovac said: “He really does very well when he plays. He had a bit of bad luck; after his really very good debut, he had a few problems.

“He needed a little time, but you can rely on that young man from the first minute to the last. A great lad, but also a great defender.”

Anselmino will hope to put these injuries behind him, continue impressing, and head back to Chelsea, where he can become a force in the rearguard.

The Argentine is a smooth ball-carrying defender and will back himself to seal a place in Enzo Maresca’s first team back at Stamford Bridge.

Having Anselmino and Mamadou Sarr on loan is likely why the Blues are reluctant to spend money to buy a new defender, despite Maresca‘s insistence.

The pair are very promising young defenders and could be mainstays in the Chelsea team for years.