Marisca must unleash the exciting Chelsea youngster who is better than Maino

As the January transfer window approaches, the top position appears to be the focus Enzo Maresca The team plays at centre-back, with Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashelli currently absent due to serious injuries Axel Disasi has been linked with a move away.

However, central defense is not the only position Chelsea They struggle to cover, with Romeo Lavia struggling for the second season in a row to maintain his fitness.

Administration only One appearance in the 2023/24 seasonLafia is having a better season this season, He participated in 12 matchesHe provided one assist and total playing minutes reached 588 minutes.

He witnessed this Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo He is relied upon heavily in midfield, with other options such as Cesare Casadei, Carne Chukwuemeca, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Renato Vega unreliable to play these roles in the Premier League under Maresca.

But with the transfer window open, Chelsea could call up one of their players on loan, as they have already done to provide centre-back depth with Trevo Chalupa, in order to provide competition and depth in the midfield.

This is instead of a signature Kobe Maino From Manchester United…

Chelsea’s pursuit of Kobe Maino

It was Chelsea Linked to a move for Mainoo In recent weeks, his contract talks with Manchester United have reached a ‘dead end’.

The 19-year-old midfielder has made 18 appearances for United this season so far, and is yet to provide a goal or assist, with a total of 1,297 minutes played.

However, he could leave the Red Devils behind, and it is the Stamford Bridge outfit who are ‘leading the race’ for the England international’s signature.

But, given the form of Caicedo and Fernandes, do they really need him? Arguably not, especially when they already have their own Mainoo team in their ranks as well.

Chelsea’s own Kobe Maino

Andre Santos is currently spending the 2024/25 season on loan with Chelsea’s “feeder” Strasbourg team in the French Ligue 1. He has played in 17 matches so far this seasonBy scoring seven goals and providing one assist. It’s safe to say it was rather impressive.

The 20-year-old Brazilian has been signed again in the 2023 summer transfer window, joining… The fee is around £13 million From Vasco da Gama in Brazil. since then, He has yet to play a single match for the first team For the blues.

Like Maino, Santos is viewed as a midfielder, with the quality to drop deep, link up play and advance through the lines in the build-up, while also having the quality to get into the penalty area, score goals and score goals. Providing output for his side.

Given the fee it would cost to bring Maino to the club, Chelsea could instead look to bring Santos back from loan. He is currently outperforming the Englishman this season and has been aptly rated as “One man war machine“In the past by scout Jacek Kulig.

When analyzing Santos’ metrics, you can clearly see his ability to influence all aspects of the game, possessing the progressive qualities needed in midfield, creativity to play across the lines, the nose to score when he reaches the penalty area, and possessing the ability to duel defensively to protect his team’s defensive line. .

A carry is considered progressive if the ball is carried towards the opponent’s goal at least 10 yards from its starting point or carried into the penalty area.

While Maino displays impressive levels of resistance to pressure, often carrying the ball smoothly through the midfield in tight spaces, Santos has the ability to do so, while also providing more chances out of possession, making it possible to recover the ball more frequently, and even displaying attributes of… Driving. On the field.

Recalling Santos would provide Chelsea with excellent depth in midfield. However, if Lavia can maintain his fitness for the rest of the season, the young Brazilian could struggle to get consistent minutes, making it difficult to make a decision to recall him from a very successful loan with Strasbourg so far.