Chelsea risk losing ‘the best player in the world’

Andrey Santos could reportedly agitate for a Chelsea departure this summer if he continues to be overlooked by Enzo Maresca.

The Brazil international, who picked up his second senior cap against Ecuador earlier this month, is yet to feature for Chelsea at the 2025 Club World Cup, having been an unused substitute in both of their opening two matches.

Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo started Chelsea’s first match of the tournament – a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC – while Caicedo was accompanied by Reece James and Enzo Fernandez in a three-man midfield versus Flamengo on Friday, with Cole Palmer moved out wide and Malo Gusto deployed at right-back.

Santos was expected to feature against Flamengo, but he was once again left on the bench, despite the fact that Chelsea were constantly overrun in midfield and eventually succumbed to a 3-1 defeat.

The 21-year-old is yet to make his senior debut for the Blues, however multiple sources have previously stated that he is expected to play a prominent role at Stamford Bridge this season.

Santos enjoyed a spectacular loan spell at Strasbourg last campaign, registering 10 goals and three assists in 32 Ligue 1 appearances, and he was even described as “the best player in the world” by team-mate Diego Moreira earlier this year.

Despite this, Maresca is yet to trust Santos with minutes at the Club World Cup, amid significant competition for places, and a summer departure could therefore be on the cards.

Andrey Santos to leave Chelsea?

A host of clubs across Europe have been monitoring Santos’ situation for the past few months, including Arsenal, and they may be buoyed by the latest news from Ben Jacobs.

The transfer reporter told the London is Blue podcast: “We’re going to start hearing a lot of noise, I think, from the Andrey Santos camp if he’s not getting the minutes.

“I think Santos is not seeing himself as the number two in his head to anyone.”

Santos still has five years remaining on his current contract at Chelsea, but the west London giants could feasibly contemplate a sale if Maresca continues to overlook the Brazilian and if he begins pushing for a transfer.

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