He may not even be eligible to play in the Premier League just yet but Andrey Santos has already stirred up plenty of excitement around the Chelsea fanbase. The Blues completed the signing of the 18-year-old Brazilian from Vasco da Game in January but have been made to wait to introduce him to the first team as the youngster has not yet earned a work permit.
Santos was spotted watching a number of Chelsea matches ahead of joining up with Brazil for the under-20 South American youth championship where he piqued everyone's intrigue as he won the competition and finished equal top goalscorer with six strikes from midfield. The January signing has since returned to Vasco da Gama until the summer with the west London side hoping to call upon his abilities following the under-20 World Cup.
The midfielder has even been called up to the senior Brazil squad for the first time ahead of their match against Algeria, and has enjoyed a week of training with the likes of Casemiro as he finds his feet. He appears to have remained composed though and is not flustered by his current situation with Chelsea.
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Santos told NetVasco (translated by Sport Witness): “I knew I had some chances of not playing. I was confident, but unfortunately, I didn’t make it. Head in place and life goes on to be there again in July. To tell you the truth, I don’t know what I need. As far as I know, I need to play in Serie A and I need to go to the U20 World Cup. I’m pretty calm. I’m doing my best at my club to achieve my goals.”
What can Chelsea expect from Santos? Potentially to help out in a position that seems set for a degree of overhaul in the next season or two. The youngster certainly hopes to play alongside some other South American stars and given Thiago Silva's contract is up 2024, it seems Santos wants to make an early impression to join his favourite Blues players.
He said: “Difficult to name one, but I really like Thiago Silva, who is a reference, Enzo Fernández too, who is a great player. I hope to play alongside him.”
The Brazil ace, may even be suited to combing with Fernandez with the ability to both sit and attack from midfield, with Graham Potter potentially having a versatile partnership to rely upon in the future.
Santos explained: "I feel free to play in both positions. Since the base, I've been playing as first and second defensive midfielder. At first there is a difference, that I am a little further away from the goal. But secondly, I'm happy to be closer to the goal, as I like to score goals. So it's important to play as a second wheel so you can step on the area."
It seems clear that Santos already has an affinity for the Blues and the summer could see him fulfil his dream.
I like them a lot, since I was little it has always been my dream to play in the Premier League and for a European giant like Chelsea. So I’m always following the games, cheering a lot. Very, very anxious, but I know that everything will happen in the right time. I always play (video games) with Chelsea. My teammates and my brother-in-law make fun of me. I put myself there on the team too (laughs).”
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