Chelsea 'make big call' on Andrey Santos as Enzo Maresca decides he's seen enough

are set to give loaned-out youngster Andrey Santos a shot in the first team at the Club World Cup this summer, according to reports. is believed to have seen enough from Santos' excellent spell at Strasbourg to conclude that he deserves a chance to impress closer to home.

Big things were expected of the young Brazilian when Chelsea paid to sign him from Vasco de Gama in the summer of 2023. He had just enjoyed a superb campaign of senior football in his homeland, although Stamford Bridge bosses opted to loan him out to rather than throw him straight in at the deep end.

Santos struggled in a crowded squad at the City Ground, and only made two appearances in all competitions before being recalled. Chelsea sent him to sister club Strasbourg for the second half of last season and the entirety of this campaign, which has seen the 20-year-old come on leaps and bounds.

He has made more tackles than any other midfielder in Ligue 1 this season, and scored more goals (nine) than all bar one midfielder in the French top flight.

Maresca has evidently been convinced about his first-team potential, as claim that Santos will join up with the Chelsea squad for the FIFA Club World Cup in June and July.

The Blues will kick off their campaign in the United States against an unknown opponent after Club Leon were kicked out of the competition due to a multi-club conflict. Flamengo and ES Tunis are the other two sides in Chelsea's four-team group.

A strong tournament could see Santos kept around by Maresca for the 2025/26 season. Although the Brazilian international has impressed this season, registering 12 goal contributions in 27 Ligue 1 games, Chelsea bosses have not yet made a final decision on where he will spend next term.

The close relationship between Chelsea and Strasbourg means there will remain a possibility for Santos to head back to France for another season, which would take his involvement with the side to two-and-a-half years.

Senior figures from both clubs are expected to put their heads together at the end of the campaign. And Maresca is likely to get a say after casting a close eye over him at the Club World Cup - providing the Italian's services are retained after an up-and-down first season in charge.