Andrey Santos’ return to Chelsea has not been straightforward, largely because of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez.
Santos enjoyed a successful loan spell at Strasbourg last season, but that was never going to be enough for him to break into Chelsea’s first team.
Liam Rosenior thinks Andrey Santos will go to the very top
“Andrey is going to have a magnificent career.”
Liam Rosenior
Caicedo and Fernandez are two of the best midfielders in the Premier League, something that the 21-year-old recently acknowledged.
However, Santos came in for the former on Saturday and deputised very well. But after his loan at Strasbourg, it should not have been too much of a surprise.
Andrey Santos for Chelsea against Burnley
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Chelsea star Andrey Santos was a tackling machine in Ligue 1
In France, Santos had already shown that he could do what Caicedo does: make tackles and break up play.
According to FBref, the Brazilian made 110 tackles in Ligue 1 last season, the most in the division.
As per WhoScored, that works out to an average of 3.4 tackles per game, which was also the highest recorded in the French top flight.
Who was your player of the match vs Burnley?
Santos did more than that, though. He also managed to score 10 goals in 32 league appearances. It is a brilliant return for a young midfielder.
The Brazil international did not score against Burnley, but his defensive ability was certainly on show. He made more defensive actions (13) than anyone else on the pitch, according to Sofascore. Caicedo would have been watching from the bench with a proud smile.
Pedro Neto thought that Santos was “incredible”, and it is hard to disagree with him.
Chelsea midfielders Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo and Andrey Santos holding Club World Cup trophy
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Moises Caicedo’s tackling stats from 2024/25 season
Caicedo’s tackling numbers in the previous campaign were practically the same as Santos’.
The Ecuadorian made 114 tackles in the Premier League but actually played six more games than his teammate. As a result, he had a slightly lower average of three tackles per game.
Dario Essugo was envisioned as the deputy to Caicedo. But after his performance against Burnley, perhaps that role is going to go to Santos.