Enzo Maresca has a surprise Chelsea leader developing in the background ahead of next season

It was a proud day for Andrey Santos on Sunday as he wore Strasbourg's captain's armband for the very first time. Without regular captain Habib Diarra for their game against OGC Nice, Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior elected to give the responsibility to the on-loan Chelsea midfielder.

The Brazilian is currently in his second loan spell with the Ligue 1 side and the head coach's decision over the captaincy highlights just what an impact the 20-year-old has made at Stade de la Meinau since making the temporary move from Stamford Bridge. Although the game ended in defeat for Strasbourg as they lost 2-1 after initially leading 1-0, it was a moment that Santos will always remember.

Santos was a key figure for the French team and was awarded a score of 7/10 in Get French Football News' player ratings. They wrote: "Wearing the armband for the first time at Strasbourg, he repaid Rosenior's confidence, keeping things tidy and organised in the midfield and winning 13 of his 14 duels and making comfortably the most tackles of any player on the pitch (nine)."

READ MORE: Armando Broja Everton boost, Raheem Sterling impact and Fofana goal - Chelsea loan latest

READ MORE: Enzo Maresca could soon add another player to strongest Chelsea squad without spending a penny

Speaking to the media outlet after the game, Rosenior explained exactly why he opted to give the captain's armband to Santos despite his tender years.

"He was great. He constantly shows professionalism every day in his work, he constantly wants to improve and constantly trains at 100%," outlined the former Hull City boss. "There were other players that had a worthy cause to be captain but I felt that Andrey was the right choice. I felt that he didn't do the armband any disservice at all."

In regards to Santos' parent club Chelsea, there has been a lot of talk over the past month about the captaincy in SW6. Reece James is the Blues' captain but head coach Enzo Maresca recently stated that he "expects more" from the right-back in terms of leadership inside the changing room.

Maresca did also go on to say that Chelsea "don't have a proper leader" and they "need to build them".

"He's understanding that we're expecting more from him," said Maresca on James. "He's our guy from the academy. It's one of the reasons why he has to show more in terms of personality.

"He's a reserved guy. But when you don't have a proper leader, you need to build that. I think we don't have a proper leader. We need to build them. Reece is one who is on the way but he’s not there. He needs to make an effort.

"The one that is doing fantastic is Levi [Colwill]. At the beginning he was not a leader but now you can see he's one of the guys that’s always speaking. Marc Cucurella is one of the guys, but we need more and more."

As part of building a team for years to come at Stamford Bridge, Santos was brought to the club from Brazilian side Vasco de Gama in January 2023. The Rio de Janeiro-born player has yet to make a senior appearance for the Blues but the hope will be that one day he can go on to become a regular in Maresca's team.

The summer of 2025 will be a big one for the star as the club will have to decide if he is now in a position to become a permanent member of Maresca's plans or that if another loan move is required to help aid his development. If he is to stick about for the 2025/26 season and beyond, Rosenior's call over the captaincy very much highlights that Chelsea could have another possible leader on the pitch in Santos developing in the background.

As someone who is only 20 years of age, that side of his game is only going to grow in the years ahead and that will only benefit Chelsea in the long run.