Following Enzo Maresca’s red card just before the international break, Willy Caballero took charge of Chelsea’s 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest.
The Blues were not only missing their manager, though. They were also without Enzo Fernandez, while Moises Caicedo was only fit enough to make the bench.
As a result, Andrey Santos was afforded an opportunity to start. Santos was initially a doubt, but the midfielder was able to play in the end.
However, Santos and the rest of Chelsea’s midfield struggled in the first half.
Andrey Santos during Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea
Photo by James Holyoak/MB Media/Getty Images
Andrey Santos and Willy Caballero had exchange about positioning
As Chelsea crumbled in midfield without Caicedo and Fernandez, Caballero and Santos had a brief conversation mid-game.
According to BBC Sport journalist Nizaar Kinsella, that conversation was about the 21-year-old’s positioning.
In the end, it did not cost Chelsea, who were able to secure all three points after goals from Josh Acheampong, Pedro Neto and Reece James.
While Santos did not really take his chance, Acheampong did. The England Under-21 international was able to net his first senior goal and defended well overall.
He helped his side keep a clean sheet, with Chelsea’s defence being a topic of conversation after the game.
In his post-match press conference, Maresca revealed that Chelsea players were shouting loudly towards the end of the match, telling each other not to concede a goal.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca and assistant Willy Caballero at Club World Cup game
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Why Willy Caballero and Enzo Maresca would have been slightly disappointed with Andrey Santos
Santos was withdrawn at half-time, which was not too much of a surprise. Caballero and Maresca would have been expecting a bit more from him.
While on loan at Strasbourg, despite being so young, Santos already looked like a complete midfielder, with goalscoring being one tool in his arsenal. Last season, he scored 12 goals in 34 appearances, which is a great return for a young midfielder.
However, since returning to Chelsea, his finishing has been a bit disappointing. For instance, he missed one big chance against Forest on Saturday, according to Sofascore.