Chelsea to send more wonderkids to Strasbourg after Andrey Santos' successful loan spell

‎Chelsea FC are set to deepen their strategic partnership with Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, as two of the Premier League club’s brightest young prospects—Mathis Amougou and Kendry Paez—are primed for season-long loan moves to the French outfit for the 2025–26 campaign.

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‎'Mathis Amougou.'

‎Getty Images Sport 

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‎The potential transfers come on the back of a highly productive loan spell for Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos, who flourished under the guidance of Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior during the 2024–25 season. Santos' development and contributions in midfield have not gone unnoticed at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca eager to integrate him into the senior squad ahead of this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.

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‎According to reports from L'Équipe, 19-year-old Amougou, a French youth international, is among the next wave of young Blues heading to Stade de la Meinau. The promising centre-back arrived at Chelsea from Saint-Étienne in January but has only logged 22 minutes of first-team action across two appearances. A loan move to Strasbourg would offer him the opportunity for consistent senior minutes in a competitive European league.

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‎Also linked with a loan move is Ecuadorian teenage sensation Kendry Paez. Signed from Independiente del Valle in 2023, the attacking midfielder has been training at Strasbourg while awaiting his 18th birthday, which will mark his official eligibility to play in Europe. Paez is highly rated within Chelsea’s ranks and is seen as a long-term first-team prospect.

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‎The growing synergy between Chelsea and Strasbourg—both owned by BlueCo—has increasingly positioned the French side as a crucial development hub for emerging Chelsea talent. With Rosenior’s impressive track record of nurturing young players, the move presents a win-win scenario for both clubs.

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‎However, both teams harbor ambitions of qualifying for the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League, raising potential complications under UEFA’s multi-club ownership regulations. Any participation by both sides in the same European competition would require governing body approval.

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‎As Chelsea look to the future, their collaboration with Strasbourg signals a continued emphasis on youth development and strategic player progression—an approach that could yield dividends both on the pitch and in the transfer market.