Former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy has been speaking about Andrey Santos and Moises Caicedo’s midfield partnership under Liam Rosenior.
However, Cundy can imagine Santos playing in a different position going forward if needed.
The 21-year-old has been one of many success stories under Rosenior, who replaced Enzo Maresca last month.
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Santos’ best performance in a Chelsea shirt has still probably come under Maresca, but the Brazilian has been performing well since Rosenior’s arrival.
Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior embracing Andrey Santos
Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images
Jason Cundy thinks Andrey Santos can play as a No.10
Rosenior knows Santos very well. He worked with him at Strasbourg before joining Chelsea and used him as either a central midfielder or defensive midfielder.
In the future, though, Cundy can also see the former Strasbourg loanee playing even further forward.
Discussing Santos on talkSPORT’s Inside Chelsea show, Cundy said: “Certain games I think you’ll see it [Santos and Caicedo]. I think there’ll be other games where he might not. Santos can play as a 10 as well if need be.”
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If everyone is fit, there will never be a reason for Santos to play there. A fully fit Cole Palmer may be the best No.10 in the Premier League.
When Enzo Fernandez has played there, he has not done too badly either. Right now, Fernandez is actually one of the division’s top players, according to ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.
Santos could probably do a job filling in there, but it is not something that Chelsea fans should be expecting to see any time soon.
Andrey Santos of Chelsea during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Hull City and Chelsea
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Andrey Santos looks at home in midfield
He has not really shown it this season, but Santos has goalscoring ability. Last term, he netted 11 times in all competitions, suggesting that he may have the attacking nous and instincts to play further forward.
However, the Brazil international has been superb sitting deep alongside Caicedo. There, he has won the ball back for Chelsea and kept things ticking.
Santos has not shied away from receiving passes before quickly moving the ball on. His future is in midfield, especially when Chelsea already have elite attackers like Palmer and Joao Pedro.
Simply put, there should not be a need for Santos to ever play as a No.10 at Chelsea.
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