Andrey Santos wowed by performance of Chelsea defender in Club World Cup semi-final win, ‘what a player’

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Chelsea put in their best performance of the Club World Cup so far when they booked their place in the final with a 2-0 win over Fluminense.

It was an emotionally-charged game all round, with Thiago Silva taking on a bunch of his former teammates. He swapped shirts at the end with Trevoh Chalobah.

Fluminense fans applauded Joao Pedro after their former player stepped up with two goals on his first start for the club.

The Blues had close to their best team available for the semi-final, although Reece James was forced to come on as a substitute after missing the previous game due to injury.

Marc Cucurella was handed another start, as his marathon 2024/25 campaign carries on. After Renato Veiga’s departure from the club on loan, there was no recognised alternative to the Spain international.

Andrey Santos in awe of Marc Cucurella’s performance in Club World Cup semi-final

Very few would want to make a change though after his excellent campaign. Cucurella recently clashed with Estevao Willian ahead of the two of them becoming teammates at Stamford Bridge.

The semi-final was no exception, and his display saw him pick up praise from Andrey Santos after the game.

The midfielder commented on Cucurella’s Instagram post celebrating the win, saying: “What a player”.

Santos was thrown into his first competitive Chelsea start just minutes before the quarter-final, replacing the stricken James.

He more than held his own without Moises Caicedo alongside him, making himself a great option for Enzo Maresca going into the new season.

Marc Cucurella stats vs Fluminense

Cucurella let very little get past him during the semi-final, continuing what has already been a sensational run in the Club World Cup.

After a difficult first few months in West London, he has now emerged as one of the best players in his position in the Premier League.

Cucurella has put his own success down to his upbringing as a youngster at Barcelona, with him being very comfortable in possession of the ball.

The Spaniard will be amongst the players hoping to add a second trophy to their cabinet in just over a month’s time, after winning the Conference League against Real Betis.