Chelsea can replace player dubbed 'best in the world' with €30m star

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 20 Aug 2025 09:21 CDT
• 4 min read

Analysis

Chelsea have been presented with a golden opportunity to set their midfield up for a footballing generation for just $35 million.

Enzo Maresca is already the proud owner of one of the best midfield combinations in the Premier League, with Enzo Maresca and Moises Caicedo both elite operators.

Chelsea are primed to sell Andrey Santos, who was dubbed ‘the best player in the world’ last season while on loan at Strasbourg.

With West Ham hot on the trail of the Brazilian, all the pieces are falling into place for the Blues to complete a sensational move for Barcelona’s Marc Casado.

Not only do Chelsea stand to make a huge profit from this trade, but they can also set themselves up for the next decade by adding one of the biggest talents in the game to an already impressive midfield.

Casado a bargain

Chelsea could double their money from this deal. The Blues have already rejected a $61.8m bid from West Ham for Andrey Santos. Conceivably, the 21-year-old, who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of $58m, could join Graham Potter’s side for close to $70m.

Barcelona, meanwhile, have put Casado on the market. He has been told that his minutes will be limited this season, according to Cadena SER.

While bids from Como, Real Betis and Wolves have already landed, Chelsea are another team that has taken an interest in Casado.

Seeking a quick sale to boost their financial position, Barcelona have made him available for around €$35m, Mundo Deportivo reports, despite the youngster having an ETV of $40mm.

Is he better than Andrey Santos?

Although Santos is ahead of Casado in his current development, data analytics experts SciSports indicate that the likelihood is that both reach a similar level at their peaks.

Casado is very much a deep-lying playmaker compared to the more versatile Andrey Santos, yet this specialization may actually play into his hands. He would arrive as a backup for Enzo Fernandez, whereas the Brazilian is more of a Caicedo figure.

One issue that may be a stumbling block is a potential lack of game time.

While SciSports believes that Casado is a strong fit for Maresca in terms of style and formation, there is a fear that he will not see much of the pitch due to the strength Chelsea have in this position.

Some of that pressure would be relieved if Andrey Santos were to be sold and with Romeo Lavia seemingly permanently injured, the perceived level of competition is perhaps not as great as this would suggest – especially with Chelsea having a Champions League campaign to juggle.

Casado reportedly does not want to leave Barcelona, but if Chelsea can talk him round, this could prove outstanding business for the Stamford Bridge men.

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