Former Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit believes Brazilian talent Andrey Santos could be the final piece of Enzo Maresca’s midfield puzzle, tipping the 21-year-old to thrive at Stamford Bridge after a breakthrough season in Ligue 1.

Santos, who joined Chelsea from Vasco da Gama in 2023, spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Strasbourg, where he flourished with 11 goals from midfield. The youngster’s performances have not only caught the eye of Maresca but also earned him a first senior Brazil call-up under Carlo Ancelotti for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay.

Despite not making a competitive appearance for the Blues yet, Santos is now expected to be part of Chelsea’s squad for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States this summer, with many viewing him as ready to challenge for a first-team spot.

Speaking to PokerStrategy, Petit heaped praise on the versatile midfielder:

“Santos is a young player who has improved a lot since last season, he can do whatever he wants on the pitch,” said the Frenchman.

“He can play as a central midfielder, a holding midfielder or elsewhere, he can do everything. He can score and assist and is a very talented player with a bright future ahead of him.”

Petit believes Santos could be the perfect addition to complement Chelsea’s current midfield core of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez.

“I think he could be the answer for Chelsea in midfield. Romeo Lavia is a good player but he is still learning. I just think that Santos will fit in perfectly at Chelsea.”