Andrey Santos: Chelsea has spent a fortune on teenagers since the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital formed a consortium took over form Roman Abrahamovic in 2022, but this Brazilian appears to be the realest of the many deals.
Andrey Santos is talented, and so are other players, but he is a fast riser, and has been making waves since his days at Vasco da Gama prior to joining Chelsea, and after moving to Strasbourg on loan for the second half of last season, he has been a real star.
What more can be said of a 20-year-old loaned player made captain of the team. He is not only one of the future of Brazil but the entirety of football. Maybe Chelsea will also get a mention if they can do enough to retain him because they’ll have to make a big call to do that.
Week in and out, he continues to deliver performances beyond his age. He is one of the top five rated players in the Ligue 1 this season, adding fine attacking returns to his name despite playing at the base of midfield.
Nine goals and one assist in 25 games, he is the highest scoring midfielder in Ligue 1 this season – the 20-year-old also lead the way for tackles and recoveries amongst Strasbourg players.
Ahead of a return to Chelsea in the summer, the Brazilian will be satisfied with his performances, and couldn’t have done any better to slot into the midfield. Enzo Maresca or any other manager will also be keen to work with such a talent.
However, with a congested midfield, the Blues must decide whether to integrate him into their plans or risk losing one of the most promising young talents in world football.
His numbers compare favorably to Chelsea’s current midfielders. For instance, Moisés Caicedo, who joined for a British record fee, has averaged 2.3 tackles per game and an 87% pass completion rate in the Premier League this season.
Enzo Fernández, another high-profile acquisition, boasts a pass completion rate of 90% but has struggled defensively, managing only 1.5 tackles per game. Santos’ well-rounded game suggests he can compete at the highest level.
In contrast, Santos has averaged 2.5 tackles per game, 1.7 interceptions, and an 89% pass completion rate. His 10 goal involvement in the league is also more than three and nine for Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez respectively.
His leadership acumen at such a young age makes him offer just more than his football talent to the team. Andrey Santos is captain of Strasbourg already captained Brazil at youth level. His mentality surpasses his age and his discipline makes him just the proper leader.
The Bench Is a No Deal
Santos is definitely not returning to Chelsea to warm the bench. His performances indicate he is ready for a starting role, and at 20, he needs consistent game time to continue his development.
If Chelsea fails to provide him with opportunities, rival clubs will be more than willing to offer him a place in their midfield. Interest has already been reported from clubs in Spain and Germany, where young midfielders are often given more trust.
Given Chelsea’s investment in young talents, keeping Santos but failing to play him would be counterproductive. The Blues have already lost promising midfielders due to lack of opportunities – Cesare Casadei, who joined Chelsea at almost the same time as Santos is a typical example.
The Italian had a promising loan spell at Leicester City before being recalled and then left on the bench. Ultimately, he was left frustrated before leaving permanently in the January window, returning home to Italy with Torino. Chelsea cannot afford to repeat the same mistake with a player of Santos’ caliber.
Who Makes Way for Andrey Santos?
For Santos to be integrated, Chelsea may have to sacrifice one of their regular midfielders. Moises Caicedo is the most consistent in the middle of the park, as Maresca sometimes chooses to move Fernandez up the pitch.
Nevertheless, the duo will be his main competitor for a spot in the team on a standard setting, when Cole Palmer occupies the #10 position.
The midfield setup has lacked dynamism at times, and Santos’ ability to break lines with his passing and drive forward could offer a fresh dimension.
He provides a combination of defensive tenacity just like Caicedo, and technical ability of Fernandez, but neither of the current options have both at qualities – Romeo Lavia maybe, but the Belgian is almost never available.
The manager could also decide to play all three, just as Mauricio Pochettino did when Conor Gallagher was at the club last season – Santos being more productive would also make a more balance set-up.
Aggressive rotation will also be an option, but everyone of these players will always want to be part of the significant fixtures. The possibility of Lavia also returning to contention on a consistent basis is yet another headache for the manager.
Chelsea Has To Assure Andrey Santos
Assurance given to the youngster will be vital for him to make a decision to stay. Chelsea invested fortunes on Caicedo and Fernandez, and both have a reputation, although Fernandez’s more with Argentina, he has recently up his game at the club.
Yet, the club must decide—and quickly. Andrey Santos is too good to be left out, and his performances on loan have proven he can compete at the highest level.
Although he still has long duration on his contract with the club, he has goals of his own. The Brazilian national team currently lacks stability in midfield, and having thrive with the youth teams, he will be keen to secure a spot, and staying on the bench won’t help his cause.
If the Blues fail to make room for him, they risk losing a potential midfield star who could dominate for years to come. His current contract, which runs out in 2030 means the club will sell for a huge profit, but even that may not be worth a consolation if he goes on to fulfil his potential at a rival club.
Whether it means sacrificing a current starter or shifting the tactical setup, Chelsea cannot afford to let this opportunity slip away because even though he is young, Santos will be a level raiser in their current team.
