According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Andrey Santos will not remain silent about his playing time for long. After a quality loan performance in France, the 20-year-old Brazilian midfielder can become agitated if Stamford Bridge fails to give him a defined role in the team.
Ben Jacobs noted that Santos’ representatives can soon make their voices heard loud enough if the player is not provided with meaningful minutes. He explained:
“We’re going to start hearing a lot of noise, I think, from the Andrey Santos camp if he’s not getting the minutes. I think Santos is not seeing himself as the number two in his head to anyone.”
Santos is back from a year with Strasbourg for the 2024–25 campaign, where he played weekly and contributed 11 goals in 43 games. His development has come a long way and is showing all the signs of the box-to-box midfielder the Blues signed from Vasco da Gama in January 2023.
Chelsea Have Other Midfielders
However, with Chelsea’s midfield already clogged with the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. With Reece James also thrust into midfield roles regularly, first-team appearances cannot be guaranteed.
This is where the irritation could start for Santos, who is no longer a prospect. He has made his point in one of Europe’s largest leagues. Not being picked now can set him back and test his patience.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca will have to choose whether to give Santos an improved role or gamble on instability. Another long-term loan, this time, might not be significant enough to meet the player’s ambitions. A lack of opportunity could also lead to bitter backroom negotiations.
If Chelsea do not want to retain him, then Santos and his team will have no option but to shop around for another club that will. He clearly has confidence in himself. Now it is Chelsea’s turn to demonstrate that they also believe in him.