Enzo Maresca has insisted Andrey Santos will get minutes after supporters were left frustrated by his lack of action against Flamengo.
Maresca made several changes to the side which beat LAFC 2-0, but Santos once again found himself on the bench, with Reece James deployed in midfield.
Chelsea slipped to a 3-1 defeat, with Nicolas Jackson getting sent off, and Santos was once again left waiting to make his competitive debut for the Blues.
Maresca speaks on lack of minutes for Santos
Santos excelled on loan at Strasbourg and Todd Boehly himself had said he was excited to see the Brazilian in action.
The expectation was Santos would play a key role in the squad next season, and whilst it’s only two games, it’s hard not to be slightly concerned about the Brazilian’s lack of minutes.
Given the options Chelsea have at their disposal in midfield, it was baffling to see Maresca opt to deploy James there once again.
However, after the game Maresca insisted Santos will get given opportunities, but the proof will be in the pudding whether he does or not.
“There are always things you can do better, even when you win, not only lose,” he said as quoted on X.com.
“In terms of players, we tried to choose the right ones for the game plan. We chose Reece, he was good for 60 minutes, like the rest. Dario [Essugo] and Andrey will have chances in the future.”
Interest from Europe’s top clubs
Whilst it’s believed Santos isn’t for sale, his performances at Strasbourg have attracted the interest of some of Europe’s top clubs including Bayern Munich.
Santos’ lack of action could have once again alerted potential suitors, but it would still come as a shock given what’s been reported if the 21-year-old were to leave.
The midfielder is behind the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, but when given the chance it’s up to him to make the most of his opportunities and move himself up the pecking order.
This comment for Maresca. Why don’t you quit so we can go and get a decent coach. Can’t stand stupidity.
I don’t want to comment on Maresca but I’m pleading to all Blues to focus on the Technical Directors, Winstanley and Stewart. They’re what Maresca say and do. They supervise his selections, substitutions, signings and targets. So he tells us he was not told to go win CWC. Then that comes from the two.
Its was clear as day that he should have started Santos and maybe later on bring in Enzo Fernandez so we can see what Santos can actually do for us, besides the Flamengo team are a rival club to his vasco da Gama club back in Brasil as he would have suited well in the game, Maresca’s substitutions have always been.my problem, the timing as well and the personnel he uses. How can u have A player of the season in Santos holding the midfield well and Yiu go and deploy Reece James there and bring on Gusto who was then doing James’s job? He sometimes is way out if his heads I must tell u, experimenting when he shouldnt we should have at least won the Flamingo game before trying his rubbish
Something I believe is going to happen is that Enzo maresca will destroy Chelsea lack of stable system of play .Every match lie upon lie for the fans ..killing the fans little by little. .you have four milfder on bence and use right back on midfield. And you learn a lot from different coaches . We love Chelsea stop making us go crazy Enzo
Maresca is not a coach that should manage an elite football club.
My thought exactly. Simply- useless.
Maresca is very stubborn and to some extent very stupid,any time i see James in midfield shows how much he disrespect the midfielders we have,everytime doing stupid experiment with the team, trying stupid new things, Maresca thinks he is untouchable at Chelsea,stop frustrating Santos this early,stop playing players out of position,get Sanchez out of this team, settle for recognisable first 11,am tired with your stupid excuses Maresca,this is Chelsea football club and i just feel it’s too big for you.
I don’t want to comment on Maresca but I’m pleading to all Blues to focus on the Technical Directors, Winstanley and Stewart. They’re what Maresca say and do. They supervise his selections, substitutions, signings and targets. So he tells us he was not told to go win CWC. Then that comes from the two.