Maresca Reaffirms Santos’ Chelsea Future, Dismisses Exit Rumors

London – Stamford Bridge

In a clear signal of confidence and continuity, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has firmly dismissed exit rumors surrounding young midfielder Andrey Santos, confirming that the Brazilian will remain with the Blues in the upcoming season.

Reports earlier this month revealed that West Ham United had proposed a hefty £45 million bid for the 21‑year‑old, but Chelsea emphatically turned down the offer and warned their London rivals to “abandon” their pursuit of Santos .

This move underlines how much Maresca values Santos within his tactical setup. Despite strong midfield options in Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández, the coach regards Santos as offering a unique skill set—a blend of defensive grit and potential creative flair—that could enrich the squad as the season progresses .

For Santos himself, this is a moment of affirmation. His impressive development during his loan at Strasbourg has not gone unnoticed, and Maresca’s decision to keep him rather than sell signifies belief in his long-term contribution to the club