Chelsea sent Andrey Santos on loan to Sister Club Strasbourg and was able to pick the benefits in the summer transfer window after the Brazilian midfielder performed brilliantly
Andrey Santos says that he only has eyes for Chelsea after his sparkling form on loan in Strasbourg the attention of Arsenal. Santos still has to make a single competitive appearance for Chelsea, but is all the heads of scouts thanks to a productive loan spell in the French sister club of Blues.
The 21-year-old midfielder achieved 11 goals and five assists in 34 performances in all competitions for Strasbourg in 2024/25. He was signed by Chelsea in January 2023 for £ 13 million on the Brazilian side Vasco da Gama, but is still waiting for his debut in the first team-bike that has now been thrown in further doubt.
Santos initially failed to get a work permit with Chelsea and was then lent to Nottingham Forest and Strasbourg to get playing time. He responded well, even the French side from occasions, and there have been suggestions that Chelsea could cash in by selling the Brazilian for £ 50 million, without ever playing for the club.
Earlier this season it was reported that Arsenal was working 'hard' to sign Santos, while the French giants Paris Saint-Germain is also interested. But co-owner of Chelsea, Todd Boehly, spoke to Santos's potential this summer for possible involvement at the Club World Cup this summer, and the player himself wants to have a chance of success with his parent club.
“Everyone knows about my love, my desire to play for Chelsea. Enzo Maresca was very sincere with me. I went to Strasbourg to get minutes. Now we will see how things are going in the World Cup Club,” he told The Daily Mail.
“The affection of Chelsea fans is also something very special. Since the news I went to Chelsea, they started sending me many messages. When I was also at Vasco. And I had the enchantment in Nottingham, where I didn't play, but they also sent me messages, I also saw it on Instagram and Twitter.”
He seems to have the support of Boehly, who has hinted that Santos would play at the upcoming Club World Cup. “We are laser focused on the club's World Cup,” he said. “We have some players who join us [like] Andrey Santos. We are very enthusiastic about him and what he can add to the team. “
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However, Chelsea manager Maresca has sounded a more cautious note, knowing that he already has Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Enzo Fernandez and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall at the center of midfield. “Now we know that Andrey is doing well,” he said earlier this season.
“But at the moment we are simply focused on how we end this season. And when we prepare this season, we will think about next season.”