Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has addressed rumors surrounding the potential recall of midfielders Andrey Santos and Lesley Ugochukwu from their loan spells.
This comes as the Blues face uncertainty over the availability of Romeo Lavia and Enzo Fernandez for their upcoming Premier League clash against Wolves due to injury concerns.
With the team’s midfield depth under pressure, speculation has grown about whether Chelsea might consider reintegrating either of the on-loan players.
Santos has been making a strong impression during his loan stint at Strasbourg, while Ugochukwu is gaining valuable experience at Southampton.
However, when questioned about the possibility of recalling either player to bolster the squad, Maresca seemed to downplay the urgency of such a move. He remarked:
“No, because we don’t know if it’s a problem for them (Romeo Lavia and Enzo Fernandez), just that we don’t know if they will play the next game.”
Maresca’s response indicates that Chelsea is not actively planning to recall the young midfielders at this stage, despite the uncertainty surrounding Fernandez and Lavia’s fitness.
This approach may surprise some supporters, given the team’s current shortage of midfield options.
Romeo Lavia, a highly talented player, has been plagued by recurring injuries, making it difficult for Chelsea to rely on him consistently.
Fans have suggested that recalling one of the loanees might be a prudent decision to provide the squad with additional cover, especially if Lavia’s fitness issues persist.
Among the two loanees, Andrey Santos has arguably been the more consistent performer.
His standout displays at Strasbourg have drawn praise and fueled the belief that he could play a vital role in Chelsea’s future.
Lesley Ugochukwu, meanwhile, has shown flashes of his potential at Southampton but has struggled with consistency during his time in the Championship.
Bringing back either of these players could help address Chelsea’s immediate midfield challenges while also easing the workload on other members of the squad.
Such a decision might also better prepare the team to cope with the physical and tactical demands of the season, particularly in the absence of key midfielders.
For now, Maresca appears confident that recalling Santos or Ugochukwu is unnecessary, but the situation remains fluid.
Much will depend on the extent of the injuries to Fernandez and Lavia, and Chelsea’s plans could change if their absence is prolonged.
As the club evaluates its options, fans will closely monitor developments, eager to see how the team navigates its current midfield dilemma.
