‘Already better than Casemiro’ – Andrey Santos leaves Chelsea fans drooling with Brazil U20 display

Robin Bairner

13 Feb 2023 04:05 CST
6 min read

Chelsea fans are getting very excited by Andrey Santos, even though their January signing has not played for the club yet – or even been granted a visa that will allow him to.

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The Blues splashed out €12.5 million on the 18-year-old Vasco da Gama midfielder in January, with his arrival rather overshadowed by a string of big-name arrivals such as Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez, who arrived from Shakhtar Donetsk and Benfica respectively, as well as loan addition Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid.

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While these stars make their first steps at Stamford Bridge Andrey Santos been playing in the 2023 South American Championship in Colombia, helping Brazil to win their 12th title.

The teenager played with distinction. He may not be an attacker, but he still finished the tournament as leading scorer along with Vitor Roque, scoring what proved the tournament-winning goal in what was a de facto final against Uruguay in the last game of the competition, which was decided by a league of six teams.

Unsurprisingly, those Chelsea fans who had tuned in were left impressed – while Andrey Santos made a positive impression on the general public.

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Chelsea fans react to Andrey Santos' brazil displays

💥 Chelsea's Andrey Santos got the decisive goal in the U20 South American Championship against Uruguay.

He's a €12.5m bargain!pic.twitter.com/yyczvq6WG9
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) February 13, 2023

18 year old and already better than Casemiro. Future of Chelsea & Brazil midfield sorted for 15years. U-20title = World Cup in my books. Congrats Andrey Santos 💙🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/wZzdbjidaY
— Kofi Denzel 14🇬🇭🇺🇸 (@StvrDenzel) February 13, 2023

Still can't quite tell whether it's an aesthetic thing to do with the way he wears his hit or whether Andrey Santos really does have a Hazard-esque posterior, but that stocky lower body build keeps giving Casemiro vibes. Good to have another high potential player in the system.
— Chelsea Youth (@chelseayouth) February 13, 2023

Andrey Santos captained Brazil U20 team to victory at South America's U20 Championship, scored the Championship winning goal and finished top scorer with 6 goals in 8 games (same with Vitor Roque).

One of Chelsea’s best buys. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/vZGrznsDzN
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) February 13, 2023

18 years old, captain of the Brazilian U20 team, scores the breakthrough goal in the final and ends the tournament with the joint most goals (6) with Vitor Roque, Andrey Santos was everywhere in that Brazil midfield. Big future ahead… ⭐️🇧🇷🔵 pic.twitter.com/o8Wh458kLK
— Pys (@CFCPys) February 13, 2023

Whoever scouted Andrey Santos has done a masterful job.

What an absolute bargain at £12m he could be, brilliant recruitment. So refreshing.
— Futbol Chelsea (@FutbolCheIsea) February 13, 2023

Captain his team to the trophy and was the top scorer from deep midfield role

Andrey Santos ladies and gentlemen 💫 pic.twitter.com/n6R279Tm1S
— CFCDatro (@CFCDatro) February 13, 2023

Brazil win the Sudamericano Sub-20 with Chelsea star Andrey Santos scoring six goals as midfielder and captain.

The premier league isn’t ready for Enzo and Santos link-up. The future is bright🔥 pic.twitter.com/GtvTBokSWk
— Hassan™ (@Hlooyaan) February 13, 2023