Andrey Santos has returned to Chelsea after a productive season-long loan at Strasbourg, where he made a notable impact in Ligue 1 with 10 goals and four assists across 32 matches. As he re-integrates into the Chelsea squad, the club’s coaching staff is evaluating where he fits within their evolving system.
Though the Brazilian featured only briefly in Chelsea’s 3-0 Club World Cup group stage win over Esperance Tunis, head coach Enzo Maresca has shed light on where he envisions Santos playing. The 20-year-old is currently viewed as a potential future replacement or alternative to Enzo Fernandez, taking up a more offensive midfield role.
Fernandez has had a stellar season with Chelsea, recording one goal and two assists at the Club World Cup alone, and posting a total of nine goals and 16 assists over 49 appearances this season. His growing influence in the team has made the number eight position vital to Maresca’s tactical setup.
While Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo are seen more as defensive-minded midfielders, Santos, according to Maresca, brings a different profile. The Italian manager considers him better suited to advanced midfield responsibilities, aligning him more closely with Fernandez’s energetic and creative role.
Santos is still adjusting to Maresca’s tactical approach, and that learning curve is a key reason his minutes remain limited during the Club World Cup. Despite being expected to remain on the bench in the upcoming knockout clash against Benfica, Santos is clearly in the manager’s long-term plans.
Chelsea fans may not see much of him on the pitch just yet, but Maresca’s comments suggest that Santos is viewed as a developing asset—one who could soon play a major part in the team’s attacking transitions. His Ligue 1 success signals readiness, and with time, he could become a vital cog in Chelsea’s midfield engine.