Chelsea centre-back Aarón Anselmino has been named in a senior Argentina squad for the first time, despite not playing an official minute under Xabi Alonso this season. The call-up comes as Chelsea's defensive options are stretched by injuries to Maxence Lacroix and Jorrel Hato.

Aarón Anselmino has not played an official minute under Xabi Alonso this season. Argentina have still called him up. The 21-year-old centre-back was named on Tuesday 3 November in Lionel Scaloni’s 28-man squad, his first at senior level. It is Scaloni’s first squad since Lionel Messi retired from international football.

The timing stands out. Four days earlier, at his press conference before the Manchester United game, Alonso said Anselmino was still unavailable and needed time to reach full fitness. The defender has suffered several injuries, and the club wants to be careful with him. He was not among the nine substitutes named against United.

Argentina move faster than Chelsea on Anselmino

Anselmino was hurt in a pre-season friendly against Johor of Malaysia. Chelsea signed him in 2024 for $18 million (£13.4m), ESPN reported. He has since been on loan at Boca Juniors, Borussia Dortmund and Strasbourg.

A squad place does not settle whether he is ready to play. It does show Scaloni wants him in the group as Argentina start a new phase. Argentina face Uruguay at La Bombonera on 13 November. They then meet Costa Rica at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium in Córdoba on 17 November. Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso were left out. Lautaro Martínez and Cristian Romero miss out through injury.

Three Chelsea players join Scaloni as the defence thins

Anselmino will not be the only Chelsea player in the camp. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is also included. He had surgery after breaking his jaw against Everton and has not played since. Valentín Barco returns to the group. He came off the bench for Pedro Neto in the 87th minute against United.

Chelsea’s back line is stretched. Maxence Lacroix is not expected back before the international break because of a hamstring injury. Jorrel Hato was ruled out of the United game with a back problem and has no return date. Against United, Alonso started Josh Acheampong, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Marco Palestra. It was Palestra’s first Premier League start.

That makeshift defence held firm. Chelsea beat ten-man Manchester United 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. Morgan Rogers scored in the 50th minute and Cole Palmer converted a 64th-minute penalty.

With Lacroix and Hato out, a fit Anselmino would give Alonso another option at centre-back. The international break could show how far his recovery has come. Before it, Chelsea travel to Sunderland on 8 November. Their next home game is against Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday 21 November, four days after the Costa Rica friendly.