20-year-old Chelsea youngster thinks he is perfectly suited to start for Enzo Maresca

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A lot of discussion has already begun about what kind of system Chelsea are going to operate in next season under their new manager.

Enzo Maresca only has a couple of seasons as a first team boss, however his style of play is already pretty well determined.

Maresca was heard getting instructions across to his new players in his first week of pre-season, as he looks to work out as soon as possible who he believes is capable of doing a job for him this season.

• READ MORE: What Enzo Maresca was heard saying to Noni Madueke during pre-season training at Chelsea

As part of the early sessions at Cobham, a number of younger players have been involved with the first team.

One of those is Andrey Santos, who impressed many during his loan spell at Strasbourg last season.

Andrey Santos believes he can start in midfield for Chelsea

The 20-year-old has told PL Brasil that he believes he has the skills already to slot into the midfield role under Maresca.

He said: “He (Maresca) plays in a 3-2-5 formation, if I’m not mistaken, with the full-back on the inside. I’ve played in this formation with coach Paulo Victor (Gomes) in the Brazilian under-15 and under-17 teams.

“As a defensive midfielder, you take control of the game from the front. I feel very comfortable and adapted to playing as the first defensive midfielder alongside the full-back. I really like dictating the pace of the game.”

Santos has already been given some advice by Patrick Vieira on how to succeed as a Premier League player, with that certainly being his ambition.

Santos facing competition for places

There will be plenty of competition for places in the middle of the park at Stamford Bridge next season.

Romeo Lavia will be hoping for an injury-free campaign this time around after only being able to feature once in his first season in West London.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is another name who will be pushing for minutes next season, with his experience working under Maresca seeing him play the best football of his career.

This could all put Conor Gallagher’s future at the club in jeopardy. There remains just one year left on his current deal.