Who is Andrey Santos? Chelsea's new Brazilian wonderkid

Stuart Telford

Updated: 23 May 2023 08:56 CDT
4 min read

Andrey Santos in action for Vasco da Gama. — © ProShots

Chelsea have beaten Newcastle and Barcelona to the signing of Vasco da Gama starlet Andrey Santos.

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There has been much to admire about the 18-year-old's first full season in senior football, which caused a string of top European clubs to clamour for his signature.

But just what are the attributes that make Santos, who is a youth international playing up two age groups, such a highly valued commodity? FootballTransfers takes a look.

READ: Barcelona battle to sign 'Brazilian Busquets'

What position does Andrey Santos play in?

Santos is primarily a defensive midfielder who lined up as one of two double pivots for Vasco alongside Yuri Lara with former PSG star Nene up ahead, but he looks just as happy playing as a No.8 as he does a No.6 when required, not too unlike former Manchester City man Yaya Toure.

🎥 Andrey Santos Highlights

💭 18 years of age and already touted as the next big defensive midfielder coming out of Brazil.

❓With FC Barcelona interested in him, is he the Busquets replacement?

pic.twitter.com/HciMQURyhg
— Barça Spaces (@BarcaSpaces) September 3, 2022

How good is Andrey Santos?

Santos is already capped up to under-20 level with Brazil despite still being just 18 years old, and his eight goals from 33 league games in 2022 tell the story of a player who is able to impress on both sides of the ball.

READ: The 20 Brazil youngsters with the most potential

"Physically, he's a monster," Juninho - a Vasco and Lyon club legend - told the Resenha Loading channel on YouTube. "Without the ball, his participation in the game is total. I wanted to see his GPS, because he doesn't stop! And technically, he's way above the others.

"He's not going to be better than me, he's going to be much better than me! He's a much more complete player. At 18, I didn't play half as much as he does, I'm not ashamed to say that."

What clubs are interested in Andrey Santos?

Chelsea have won the battle to sign Santos ahead of Newcastle, and there was plenty of other interest in the midfielder had the Blues deal fallen through.

Barca were thought to be hot on the trail of the player as a replacement for Sergio Busquets, but it appears that their financial issues have blocked a move. PSG and Man City were among the other teams who had been following him.