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Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca says he is focused on dealing with his current group and not on planning to welcome back on-loan midfielder Andrey Santos, who has impressed while on loan at Strasbourg, despite speculation linking him with a return.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Speaking in a press conference, Maresca said: “We know Andrey Santos is doing well. But we are just focused on how we finish this season. When we finish this season, we’re going to start to think about next season. You cannot talk about next season now, because there’s no certainty. Everything could change in one or two days. If now, you start to think about next season, that could affect this current season and I don’t want to be affected with the performance of my guys, of my team.”
Santos has caught the eye with his performances for Ligue 1 club Strasbourg this season, leading to questions about his role in Chelsea’s plans for the 2025/26 season. However, Maresca made it clear that there will be no decisions made on any player’s future over the next few months, and all squad decisions will be left until the end of the current campaign. Until then, he is focused on trying to ensure Chelsea pip Manchester United and Newcastle to the last Champions League place to qualify for next season’s competition.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Santos is one of many players in Chelsea’s squad facing an uncertain future, with Romeo Lavia and Lautaro Martinez among those being linked with potential January loan moves, while Ruben Dias and Jadon Sancho will only be left with 18 months on their respective contracts by next summer and have been warned that they will not be allowed to leave as free agents. The impending arrival of Dario Essugo from Sporting Lisbon next summer will only add to the Blues’ midfield options and lead to more selection dilemmas for Maresca.
WHAT SANTOS SAID
Asked if he is keen to make a mark at Chelsea, Santos said earlier this month: “Yes, obviously that’s my goal. That’s the goal that i have in my head but right now, I’m only focused on Strasbourg. I need to do my job here, and by doing that I will have my chances at Chelsea. But of course, that’s my goal (to break through at Chelsea).”
The Brazil international was denied a deadline-day transfer to Istanbul Basaksehir on loan on the final day of the summer transfer window, having no option but to stay in France at Strasbourg. However, that decision seems to have worked out well for him, as he has become one of midfield’s hottest prospects in Ligue 1, turning heads with his impressive displays.
WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?
Maresca’s side have a busy schedule of games coming up towards the end of the season as they battle for that fourth spot to ensure another season of Champions League football, with fixture congestion adding to the Italian’s selection dilemmas.
