Enzo Maresca makes honest Andrey Santos transfer admission ahead of Chelsea decision

Enzo Maresca has praised Andrey Santos for the season he is having on loan at Strasbourg but has conceded no decision has been made over where the Brazilian will play his football next term.

The 20-year-old midfielder has spent the season on loan at Chelsea's sister club and has flourished under Liam Rosenior, leaving Blues supporters desperate to see him at Stamford Bridge next term. football.london understands Chelsea are planning on using Santos in the FIFA Club World Cup that starts in mid-June but no decision has yet been made on where the Brazil international will be for the 2025/26 campaign.

Chelsea have used Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo for most of the season in the centre of midfield, with a lack of depth in the area because of consistent injury problems to Romeo Lavia. However, with Dario Essugo set to join this summer from Sporting CP, and the possible addition of Santos in time for next season, although the latter has not been decided yet, according to Maresca.

"Now, we know that Andrey is doing well," the Italian replied when asked about the midfielder's progress and future. "But in this moment, we are just focused about how we finish this season. And then when we finish this season, we're going to start to think about next season."

Santos himself is unsure about what's in store for him next season. Speaking last month, the Brazilian said: "I don't think a specific decision has been made. No-one has come to talk to me directly. Everything is in the hands of the club and my agents."

Chelsea have been boosted in the midfield department for this weekend's trip to Fulham. The Blues go to Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon, looking to keep their shot of finishing in the top five alive. The Cottagers, though, will prove a difficult test but Chelsea will have Lavia to choose from again.

"Romeo is back," Maresca said. "He's training with us and he can be available for Sunday. With him, we're going to try the same thing that we are trying with Reece [James]. I would like to play Reece every three days, but we are trying to manage him, to help him. And as I said, exactly the same thing we are going to try to do with Romeo because he is for us an important player."