£13m midfielder regarded as ‘great fit’ for Enzo Maresca’s style, Chelsea eye first-team role for the youngster

Chelsea eyeing a first-team role for the star midfielder and a great fit for Maresca

According to a transfer report by The Athletic, Andrey Santos, a 20-year-old midfielder, might play football with the Chelsea first team in the coming season. The Blues are keen for retaining the star after enjoying his performance during his loan spell.

Teams from all around Europe have contacted Chelsea about the 20-year-old, who showed promise when on loan at Strasbourg in the second part of the previous campaign. Chelsea, though, has no interest in lending or selling him.

Andrey Santos joined Chelsea in January 2023 from Vasco da Gama for a fee of around £13 million. Since then, he has been out on loans and although his first stint as a part of Nottingham Forest did not see him getting much game time, he made sure to shine while playing for RC Strasbourg.

Andrey could certainly benefit the Blues

The club feels that Santos is an ideal match for Maresca’s playing style because of his flexibility, technical talent, and outstanding ball retention abilities. As The Athletic also mentioned:

“The Brazilian is regarded as a great fit for how Enzo Maresca wants the team to play. His ability to operate as a No 6 or No 8, combined with great ball retention, will be a major asset as Chelsea negotiate the extra fixtures in the Conference League.”

Conor Gallagher‘s impending departure may give Santos plenty of chances to establish himself as a starter in the starting lineup. Santos’s talent and the club’s confidence in him are demonstrated by the choice to include him in the first team.

The addition of admirable players like Andrey Santos to the first-team roster may prove to be a smart move as the Blues attempt to rebuild under new manager Enzo Maresca and compete on several fronts.

Santos has the chance to become a rising star at Chelsea with the help of his teammates, the coaching staff, and the club’s supporters. His performance in the upcoming months will be critical to his personal growth as well as the team’s success as they strive to contend for many championships.

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• “Good feeling”- Chelsea star gears up for Euro 2024 after successful warm-up games

Blues fans may anticipate seeing Andrey Santos establish himself as a vital member of the team’s midfield. His placement in the starting lineup demonstrates the club’s dedication to developing young players and laying a solid foundation for the future.