Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos is set to be part of Enzo Maresca's plans next season after dazzling on loan in France at Strasbourg - and will be joined by Mamadou Sarr
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Andrey Santos of Strasbourg celebrates his goal during the France Ligue 1 match between RC Strasbourg Alsace and Lille OSC
Chelsea loanee Andrey Santos has been a big hit at Strasbourg(Image: Sathiri Kelpa/Eurasia Sport Images)
Andrey Santos has lavished new Chelsea signing Mamadou Sarr in praise by claiming the teenage defender has a big future within the game. The Brazilian midfielder has been a revelation in Ligue 1 this season while on loan at fellow BlueCo club Strasbourg where he has proved a big hit under English boss Liam Rosenior.
Speaking to French newspaper L'Equipe, Santos was asked to name three of the most-exciting talents within Strasbourg's current squad. Interestingly, his first pick was 19-year-old centre-back Sarr, who will move to Stamford Bridge this summer in an £11.9million transfer deal that was agreed during the January window.
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Santos said: "I love Mamadou Sarr. He's only 19 years old, but he plays with a lot of personality and confidence." Strasbourg are set to overturn a swift £3.4m profit on Sarr having only signed him from Lyon for around £8.5m last summer.
The former Nottingham Forest loanee also rates Brighton left-back Valentin Barco, who is set to seal a permanent switch to Strasbourg this summer for a fee in the region of £8.3m following a successful six-month loan.
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Santos continued: "There's also the Argentine Valentin Barco. I had faced him twice, and I had already seen that he was a hell of a customer. I also don't forget Dilane Bakwa, who is an aggressive player, and the second best passer in Ligue 1."
During the opening 15 minutes of each Strasbourg game this season, the club's ultras have remained silent in protest against the BlueCo ownership as they fear they are at risk of losing their identity. However, with the team now making huge strides on the field and chasing European qualification, tensions appear to be lifting.
Chelsea's wide-ranging search for top young talent has seen them send the French club a number of talented prospects either on loan or on a permanent basis, with a view to bringing those players to Stamford Bridge in the near future.
Mamadou Sarr
Mamadou Sarr currently plays for Strasbourg but the defender is set to join Chelsea this summer
It's a move that has paid dividends with Santos in particular as he looks set to earn a first-team role at Chelsea next season following a stunning spell in Ligue 1. The 20-year-old, who has nine goals and three assists in 26 appearances in all competitions, has now forced his way into the Brazil national team setup.
He claims hiring a personal nutritionist has been one of the key factors behind his inspired form, explaining: "I hired a nutritionist, a chef, a physio, a physical trainer. All of this is bearing fruit. This is important for a top athlete, even more so when he is playing in Europe."
Santos claims a visit to Thiago Silva's house for lunch during his time at Chelsea, when he could see how seriously the legendary defender looked after his diet, was the inspiration behind the change as he prepares to return to west London this summer.
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