It has come as a bit left-field, but reports claim Chelsea have added Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac to their summer shortlist, and Aaron Anselmino will be delighted.
Chelsea have been linked with a plethora of managers in recent days, since Liam Rosenior was sacked last Wednesday. Calum McFarlane will remain in charge until the end of the season, including the FA Cup final.
Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and Xabi Alonso look as if they are the three frontrunners to take over. Chelsea have already spoken to Iraola’s representatives, while reports say talks are planned with Silva’s agents.
Would you have Oliver Glasner or Niko Kovac as Chelsea’s next manager?
Kovac has won 41 of his 70 games as Dortmund manager…
On Wednesday, reports emerged that Alonso is the main candidate to take over. But there are others now linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, and a new report claims Niko Kovac has been added to the list.
Aaron Anselmino could get a Chelsea chance under Kovac
Kovac has impressed as Dortmund manager, winning 41 of his 70 matches as manager since taking over in February 2025. Reports say Chelsea considered Kovac as a replacement for Enzo Maresca in January.
Now, they are interested again, even if he is not one of the front-runners for the job. But £15m outcast Aaron Anselmino will be delighted if Kovac is hired, having spent the first half of the season at Dortmund.
Speaking after Chelsea had recalled Anselmino in January, Kovac declared his admiration for Chelsea’s Argentine defender as he left Dortmund: “He was a wonderful lad. He was beyond an A+ personality.
“He needed a little adjustment time due to his injury. But he integrated without delay and found a place in this team. What you saw yesterday illustrated just how emotional it was both for him and for all of us.
“This occurrence [loan recall] was very sad for us. But so it goes in the footballing business sometimes. We wish him all the best whilst hoping to achieve the success we hoped to accomplish together with him.”
Aaron Anselmino’s Chelsea future is in danger this summer
Bought by Chelsea in the summer of 2024, Anselmino is currently at his third loan club since completing the move to Stamford Bridge. He has managed just one appearance for Chelsea, in the Club World Cup.
He returned to Boca Juniors following his permanent signing, playing 13 times. He has since played for Dortmund on loan, before going to BlueCo side Strasbourg on loan after Mamadou Sarr was recalled.
DISCUSS: Chelsea should sell Aaron Anselmino 👋
Injury-prone.
But hamstring injuries have played their part this season, limiting him to just 10 Dortmund appearances. At Strasbourg, the muscle issues have limited Anselmino to just three games under boss Gary O’Neil.
When he returns to Chelsea in the summer, Anselmino will be one of 10 senior options at centre-back alongside Axel Disasi, Jorrel Hato and Josh Acheampong. Chelsea need to trim that number down.
If the Blues are looking at candidates to sell this summer, Anselmino will be one of a few closest to the exit door. Especially, with Chelsea set to sign a defender. But hiring Kovac could change that for him.
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