Chelsea: £16m signing to finally make debut at Club World Cup as Enzo Maresca conversation is revealed | OneFootball

Blues youngster’s stock has risen after a successful loan spell in France with Strasbourg

Andrey Santos has revealed he is set to feature for Chelsea at this summer’s Club World Cup.

Immediately loaned back to Vasco da Gama before enduring a frustrating spell at Nottingham Forest during the first half of the 2023/24 season, Santos has found his feet in France with Strasbourg over the past 18 months.

After impressing during the second half of the 2023/24 campaign, the loan deal was extended to cover the entire 2024/25 season and excelled in helping Strasbourg finish seventh in Ligue 1, thus qualifying for the Conference League play-off round.

Netting 10 league goals has seen the 21-year-old attract interest from several clubs across Europe.

However, the Brazilian is keen to be part of Enzo Maresca’s plans for next season, stating he’s held conversations about finally making his Chelsea debut in this summer’s revamped Club World Cup tournament.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Santos said: “The only conversation I had was that I’d play in the Club World Cup for Chelsea, and after that, we’ll see what happens.

“Everyone knows how much I love the club and my desire to play here.

“Enzo Maresca was very sincere with me. I went to Strasbourg to get minutes. Now we’ll see how it goes at the Club World Cup.

“The affection from Chelsea fans is something very special as well. Ever since the news broke that I was going to Chelsea, they started sending me a lot of messages. Back when I was at Vasco, too.

“And I had the spell at Nottingham, where I didn’t play, but they sent me messages there too, I’d see some posts, they’d tag me on Instagram and Twitter.”