Enzo Maresca Set to Hand Debut to ‘Complete Midfielder’

Chelsea are currently at the Club World Cup, where the West London club are integrating some of their new players such as Liam Delap and Dario Essugo. Despite already being active in the transfer window, it appears the Blues will do more business after the competition with Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens linked heavily with a move to Stamford Bridge. Several loanees have also returned to Chelsea, with only Andrey Santos selected for the Club World Cup squad. According to Kieran Gill at The Mail, the Brazilian midfielder will make his competitive Chelsea debut against Flamengo on June 20.

Chelsea Poised to Unleash Andrey Santos

Santos Talks Flamengo Feelings

According to the report from The Mail, Andrey Santos is expected to make his competitive Chelsea debut. It could be a fiery atmosphere for Santos with his links to Flamengo rivals Vasco da Gama.

Santos came through the Vasco da Gama academy before joining Chelsea in 2023 and embarking on an impressive loan spell at Strasbourg last season. Speaking to the English press at Philadelphia Union’s Subaru Park, Santos revealed his expectations regarding the reception he’s likely to receive from Flamengo fans: “Flamengo and Vasco da Gama is like Argentina and Brazil.”

“I know there are many people from Brazil here and the support of their fans is amazing. It’s hard because I played for Flamengo’s rival, so of course when I’m on the pitch, they’re probably not going to say nice things about me.

“It’s probably going to happen but it’s football, it’s normal for me, I’m looking forward to it. Against Flamengo, there’s always an extra motivation.”

Santos added: “The pressure is great. I receive a lot of messages from Vasco fans on Instagram, there is also pressure from my friends, from my father, so I think I am under a lot of pressure regarding the result, but I hope everything goes well.

“Everyone is asking for a victory, my father is also very critical, he asked for a goal against Flamengo if I have the opportunity, to do everything to come out victorious and, God willing, to be able to score a goal.”

Andrey Santos at Chelsea

Andrey Santos enjoyed an impressive season in Ligue 1 for Strasbourg, showcasing his clear potential. He reads the game exceptionally well and he showed this throughout the season in France, intercepting and breaking up many dangerous attacks. Despite being mainly a defensive midfielder, he can pop up in the final third and score. Yes, Chelsea’s midfield is arguably the strongest area of their team, with Champions League football coming, Santos will still have plenty of opportunities to impress in the coming season.