Chelsea starlet Andrey Santos is FINALLY set to make his competitive Blues debut in Club World Cup – over two years since signing for £18m – against arch-rivals of his boyhood club

Andrey Santos is expected to make his competitive debut for Chelsea in their Club World Cup clash with Flamengo, in a clash with could carry a hostile atmosphere owing to his history with their great Brazilian rivals Vasco da Gama.

The 21-year-old came through the Vasco academy and there are believed to be a significant number of Flamengo fans set to attend the Friday afternoon match at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

Manager Enzo Maresca is aiming to utilise his squad options to cope with the challenging humidity in the United States and that is likely to lead to an appearance from Santos, who spent last season on loan with French sister club Strasbourg.

‘Flamengo and Vasco da Gama is like Argentina and Brazil,’ Santos said in a huddle with the English press pack before training at Philadelphia Union’s Subaru Park.

‘I know there are many people from Brazil here and the support of their fans is amazing. It’s hard because I played for Flamengo’s rival, so of course when I’m on the pitch, they’re probably not going to say nice things about me.

‘It’s probably going to happen but it’s football, it’s normal for me, I’m looking forward to it. Against Flamengo, there’s always an extra motivation.

Andrey Santos is at last set for his competitive Chelsea debut over two years since joining

The Brazilian came through the ranks at Vasco da Gama and has been on loan from Chelsea

Vasco’s arch-rivals Flamengo are Chelsea’s next opponents in the Club World Cup on Friday

‘The pressure is great. I receive a lot of messages from Vasco fans on Instagram, there is also pressure from my friends, from my father, so I think I am under a lot of pressure regarding the result, but I hope everything goes well.

‘Everyone is asking for a victory, my father is also very critical, he asked for a goal against Flamengo if I have the opportunity, to do everything to come out victorious and, God willing, to be able to score a goal.’

Santos is aiming to stay at Chelsea for the next season and secure substantial minutes after using his loan to Strasbourg last term to show what he can do. 

He was signed at the age of 18 from Vasco in 2023, costing £18million.