Maresca to give Andrey Santos Club World Cup chance after top loan spell

Enzo Maresca will get to assess Andrey Santos in person this summer as the Strasbourg starlet will play for Chelsea at the Club World Cup.

The 20-year-old Brazilian has enjoyed an excellent loan with the French sister club, though it is not yet fully confirmed where he will be spending next season.

However, Mail Sport can confirm the midfielder will have his chance to impress Maresca and Co in two months' time as he will be selected to join the first-team squad in the United States for the FIFA tournament.

It is entirely possible and perhaps even likely that Santos, who speaks perfect English, will then stay with Chelsea for the forthcoming 2025-26 campaign after performing so superbly for Strasbourg throughout 2024-25.

But sources have described the situation as fluid and confirmation is only expected once Chelsea and Strasbourg get the opportunity to decide together at the end of the season. Both BlueCo sides are concentrating on their respective run-ins currently as they strive for the highest form of European football available to them.

Chelsea signed Santos at the age of 18 from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama.

After being recalled from a loan with Premier League Nottingham Forest in January 2024, he was sent to Strasbourg, where he has become a star in Ligue 1.

He is the top-tackling midfielder in French top-flight football this season, and also the second-top scorer from midfield.

The Club World Cup will begin on June 16 for Chelsea, although they do not yet know who they will facing after Club Leon were kicked out of the Club World Cup due to a multi-club conflict with another participating side.

They will then face Flamengo on June 20, and ES Tunis on June 24.