England’s World Cup nemesis Valentin Barco joins Chelsea: Argentina star who provoked Three Lions in semi-final defeat confirms switch to Stamford Bridge after Atlanta antics

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of World Cup villain Valentin Barco on a seven-year deal.

Barco, 22, who can play in midfield and at left-back, joins the Blues from their sister club Strasbourg. 

The Argentine hit the headlines last month when he clashed with Jude Bellingham after England’s semi-final defeat at the World Cup.

Barco made just one substitute appearance at the tournament, but he infuriated the Three Lions after he sprinted across the pitch when Enzo Fernandez equalised late on in the clash.

He ran right in front of several England players and appeared to taunt them, before John Stones reacted by giving him a shove. 

Barco later also came onto the pitch in the aftermath of Lautaro Martinez’s winning goal. 

It was also reported that the new Chelsea star had been winding up the England bench for the entirety of the 90 minutes. 

In response to his antics, Bellingham gave the 22-year-old a slap on the back of the head after the full-time whistle as Argentina’s players celebrated.

Given his involvement in the World Cup, Barco won’t join up with his new team-mates until later in pre-season.

He began his career back home with Boca Juniors, making his debut at the age of 16.

After impressing there, Barco joined Brighton in 2024 for £7.4million but he struggled to establish himself on the south coast, spending time on loan at Sevilla nd Strasbourg.

He later made the permanent move to Strasbourg in February 2025 and was regularly linked with a move away after impressing in France, where they qualified for European football.

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