Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has confirmed Aaron Anselmino is still a few weeks away from a return to fitness.

The Argentine is somewhat of a forgotten man in SW6 as he is still awaiting his Premier League debut, despite joining the club from Boca Juniors for a fee believed to be in the region of £17million in August 2024.

Anselmino’s one and only competitive outing for Chelsea to date came against Benfica during the Club World Cup last year as he played two minutes as a replacement for Levi Colwill for the round of 16 clash.

Following the conclusion of the tournament, the defender joined Borussia Dortmund on loan but bid an emotional farewell upon being recalled in January and then sent to Strasbourg for the second half of the 2025-26 campaign where injuries limited him to just three appearances in total.

Anselmino last featured for Chelsea in a pre-season friendly against Johor Darul Ta'zim in August, though he was forced off just before the half hour mark with an injury.

Anselmino will be sidelined for Chelsea’s Premier League showdown against Manchester United on Saturday due to an unspecified injury, with Alonso wary of his recovery.

“He's not available yet,” the Chelsea boss revealed in Friday’s press conference.

“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.”

Aaron Anselmino has made just one Chelsea first team matchday squad this season

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Anselmino’s Argentine compatriot Emi Martinez, meanwhile, is on course to return from jaw surgery ahead of schedule.

The goalkeeper suffered the injury when colliding with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite during Chelsea’s 2-0 win away to Everton, which saw him stretchered off the pitch at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Martinez was expected to be out of action for up to six weeks, but Alonso has revealed the 34-year-old could be available against Sunderland before the international break - and will wear a face mask if so.

"Yes, there is a chance. We need to still wait for next week, but let's see how things go," Alonso added. "But there is a chance.

"In case he's ready to play, he will need a face mask probably."