Andrey Santos looks like the pick of the bunch when it comes to the Chelsea loanees making the most progress this season.
Chelsea decided to send Andrey Santos to sister club Strasbourg last summer on a season-long loan, which is proving to be extremely helpful in his development.
Several Chelsea loanees are impressing in first-team football this campaign, including Santos in the French top division.
Santos, 20, is a key player right now for Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg. In 19 appearances across all competitions this season, he’s scored eight goals.
The Brazilian youngster is growing into such a complete central midfielder who can contribute both offensively and defensively. Therefore, it’s no major surprise that Bayern Munich are one of the clubs interested in Chelsea prospect Santos.
Liam Rosenior makes prediction about Chelsea loanee Andrey Santos
Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior has confidently predicted that Santos will enjoy an “outstanding career” after coaching him this season.
He claims that the young midfielder plays with maturity well beyond his years, which is why he’s nicknamed him ‘Dunga’ after the legendary Brazilian midfielder.
When discussing Chelsea-owned talent Santos, Rosenior told The Athletic: “Andrey is going to have a magnificent career. You forget how young some of them are. Andrey plays like he’s 32. I call him Dunga (after Brazil’s 1994 World Cup-winning captain): he’s Brazilian but he doesn’t play like one. He’s so smart and his stats are through the roof, in terms of scoring goals, winning duels. He’s going to have an outstanding career.”
Chelsea already plan to use Santos in their squad next season as they feel the 2025/25 campaign could be his breakout year in West London.
Based on the midfielder’s displays in Strasbourg colours, he’s already good enough to contribute to Enzo Maresca’s Blues group.
Andrey Santos can be a bargain
It cost Chelsea roughly £18m (ESPN) to sign Santos from Vasco da Gama back in 2023.
The South American teenager has gone down the loan route to develop his game, but we’re confident that he’ll soon return to Stamford Bridge to make a mockery of his price tag.
Santos thinks he’s a perfect fit for Maresca’s Chelsea with his style of play. We can certainly picture him providing an option next season as a No.6 or a No.8 in the centre of the park.
The transfer policy under the Chelsea owners has been to recruit plenty of future stars, which means it may take a bit of time to see the reward of their investment.
