What Chelsea fans can expect from Andrey Santos next season

Cameron Smith

11 Jun 2024 12:30 CDT
4 min read

Andrey Santos, Chelsea, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Andrey Santos is set to remain at Chelsea next season after being earmarked for a place in the Blues’ first-team squad.

Article continues under the video

The Brazilian midfielder was expected to leave Stamford Bridge on loan, but Chelsea have decided that he will remain at the club for the 2024-25 campaign, according to The Athletic.

Santos, 20, impressed on loan at Strasbourg during the second half of last season, after a miserable six-month loan stint at Nottingham Forest.

The Athletic report that Santos is seen as the perfect player to excel in Enzo Maresca’s system, with his ability to play as a No.6 or a No.8 deeply admired.

Furthermore, with the Blues back in Europe, they will be forced to navigate additional fixtures and Santos will not be sent out on loan or sold permanently as a result.

With Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia and now Santos set to star in 2024-25, Conor Gallagher’s exit seems even more likely, despite his desire to stay, while Cesare Casadei is set to be loaned out.

Although Santos joined Chelsea for €12.5 million in January 2023, and shone in pre-season last summer, the Brazil youth international is yet to make his senior Blues debut.

With the 20-year-old set to play a fairly sizable role at Stamford Bridge next year, what can Chelsea expect from the talented midfielder?

© IMAGO - Andrey Santos is set to play a first-team role at Chelsea next season

How will Andrey Santos fit in at Chelsea next season?

During pre-season last summer, Santos played a prevalent role under Mauricio Pochettino, but he was promptly shipped off to Nottingham Forest on loan, where he barely featured.

Despite this, the Brazilian is a supremely talented player. He is comfortable receiving the ball under pressure in his own half and is crucially able to play a variety of different midfield roles.

In senior football, Santos looks as though he is primed for a more defensive role, either as a No.6 or as a more defensive No.8, but he has proven that is extremely capable of operating in a more advanced role too.

At the U20 Copa America last year, Santos ended as the tournament’s joint-top scorer with six goals as he captained Brazil to their 12th title in history. During the tournament, Santos displayed immense leadership qualities and added defensive bite to his goalscoring exploits.

Current ETV

Andrey Santos

DM (RL), M (C)

Strasbourg

Andrey Santos

DM (RL), M (C)

Strasbourg

ETV Range

€3.3M - €5.5M

Always looking to play forward, Santos is brilliant at progressing the ball up the pitch via his passing, and he combines this efficiency in possession with an elite football IQ.

Pochettino utilised Santos in a number six role in pre-season last year and he immediately looked at home in that role, while he frequently played in a double pivot during his time at Strasbourg.

With Maresca demanding a possession-heavy style of play, Santos aligns perfectly with his philosophy and although he isn’t yet on the level of Fernandez, Caicedo or even Lavia, the Brazilian should see significant game time at Chelsea next year.

What Blues fans should expect is a midfielder with an excellent passing range, a tenacious work rate and an eye for goal. If Chelsea can ensure his development plan is top notch, they have a star on their hands.