Enzo Maresca Reveals Andrey Santos’ Role After Strong Strasbourg Season

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has praised Andrey Santos’ recent development and clarified his vision for the Brazilian midfielder’s position ahead of the new Premier League season.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Speaking about his squad preparations, Maresca highlighted that Andrey Santos is showing promise in training after returning from a positive loan spell at Strasbourg. Maresca specifically compared Santos to Enzo Fernandez, stating he sees him “more like Enzo Fernandez, as an attacking midfielder, not a defensive midfielder.” He emphasized that Santos is a different profile to Moisés Caicedo (“Moi”) or Romeo Lavia, who are considered more defensive options in midfield.

SANTOS’ DEVELOPMENT AND CHELSEA’S PLANS

Andrey Santos, 20, spent the last season gaining valuable experience with Strasbourg in Ligue 1, where he impressed with his energy and technical skills. Chelsea remain keen to retain Santos, considering him a key long-term asset. However, Maresca has signaled that Santos will need more training sessions and time to fully adapt before he can become a regular starter for the Blues. The manager’s public assessment suggests the club is serious about his integration but will not rush his development.

LOOKING AHEAD TO CHELSEA’S NEW SEASON

Chelsea are preparing for a demanding campaign after finishing fourth in the 2024/25 Premier League, and preparing for one more eddition of a Champions League campaign. The battle for midfield positions is intense, with established names like Enzo Fernandez, Moisés Caicedo, and Romeo Lavia all fighting for starts. Chelsea’s next match is a pre-season friendly against Brighton, with Maresca expected to experiment with his midfield combinations. Fans will be keen to see how Santos fits into these plans and whether he can push for a more prominent role as the season progresses.