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Analysis
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'Everyone knows my desire to play for Chelsea' admits 'best player in the world'
Suraj Radia
- 29 May 2025 19:15 BST
- 4 min read
News
Andrey Santos has reiterated his desire to play for Chelsea despite speculation that the youngster could be sold this summer after his impressive loan spell at Strasbourg.
Santos is set to return to Stamford Bridge in the coming days to feature in next month’s Club World Cup, with a view for Enzo Maresca to get a closer look at the midfielder.
Current ETV
Andrey Santos
M, DM (C)
Strasbourg
Andrey Santos
M, DM (C)
Strasbourg
ETV Range
€24.2M - €29.6M
The 21-year-old has been on loan at Strasbourg for the last 18 months, where he was integral in helping the Ligue 1 side qualify for Europe next season, earning himself a recall to the Brazil senior team for their upcoming matches and being labelled as 'the best player in the world' by his teammate.
Santos admitted he was unsure about his future after the Club World Cup but insisted that ‘everyone knows’ his love for Chelsea, with the Brazilian paying tribute to the ‘sincerity’ of manager Enzo Maresca in his plans for the player.
“The only conversation I had was that I would play in the Club World Cup for Chelsea and after that we’ll see what happens,' Santos told Mail Sport. “Everyone knows about my love, my desire to play for Chelsea.
“I think Maresca was very sincere with me, and I liked that sincerity. Also, when you look someone in the eye, when you're sincere, you build trust with the player. So I accepted that and went to Strasbourg to get minutes. And now, God willing, we'll see how it goes at the Club World Cup. I hope everything goes well.”
Chelsea fans ‘anxious to see me play’ claims Santos
Santos joined Chelsea in 2023 for €12.5 million but saw his first 12 months at the club filled with disappointment with limited opportunities both with the Blues and during a short stint on loan at Nottingham Forest.
But Santos insisted the stall in his progress only further enhanced his determination to grow as a player and he praised the Chelsea fans for their support, claiming they were just as ‘anxious’ to see him play as he was.
“It was a very difficult moment in my career – the beginning at Chelsea, with loans and no games at Forest, especially because I was very young,' Santos said. “The affection from Chelsea fans is something very special as well.
“I think during this spell at Strasbourg, they watched more. And since I played well, I think they're very anxious to see me playing for Chelsea, just as I'm very anxious to play there. I think that affection is fundamental for a player too.”
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