Andrey Santos believes Chelsea are building something that requires patience – and he now sees himself at the centre of it.
In a detailed interview with Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte, the 21-year-old reflected on what he calls his best moment at Stamford Bridge. After starting the last five matches, he can now be described as a genuine regular.
Since Liam Rosenior took charge on January 10, Chelsea are unbeaten in the Premier League. Their only defeats in that period came in the League Cup semi-finals – both against Arsenal.
“It is my best moment here. The Chelsea project with young players is very clear. The Premier League is very difficult, but we are creating maturity, building toughness.”
In another recent interview, the midfielder admit that he matured a lot in London. He then used Arsenal as a reference point – with a little provocation.
“We have the example of our rival at the weekend, Arsenal. They have been together for six years and have not won the Premier League. So I think we are on the right path, doing our work day by day to win a big title.”
Tactical clarity under Rosenior
Rosenior is Chelsea’s seventh manager since 2020. However, Andrey Santos does not frame that as chaos.
“It was my first coaching change, but with changes players get opportunities. Some managers change the style of play, but internally we are very focused. We know what we want and where we want to go.”
Crucially, his role has shifted. Under Enzo Maresca, he operated slightly higher. Rosenior pulled him back into a deeper No 5 position.
“Maresca saw me a bit more advanced. Liam already knew me. He knew my potential and my qualities. I dropped back more, as a number 5, and that made a big difference in my performance.”
The data supports the claim. Before Rosenior, he averaged 42 minutes across 22 matches. Since January 10, he averages 78 minutes over 10 games. And beyond tactics, he highlighted the human side of the manager.
“He jokes with me, asks about my family. He followed everything – even the first time I became a father. He cares about your mental state. That is important. He gives the confidence a player needs.”
Midfield battle and Brazil pressure
Chelsea’s midfield includes Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Cole Palmer. Yet Andrey Santos insists competition is healthy.
“The competition in midfield is very strong, but we get along very well. When Liam chooses the team, he is sure whoever plays will deliver. Only Chelsea benefits from that.”
Off the pitch, conversations are equally intense. Alongside João Pedro and Estêvão Willian, World Cup dreams dominate discussion.
“We talk a lot about the national team, I confess. But whenever the subject comes up, our hearts race and we start sweating. When you talk about Brazil, it is a childhood dream, especially with a World Cup so close.”
He also described helping Estêvão adapt.
“We try to make everything natural for him. We know what it is like to leave Brazil and arrive in the Premier League – new culture, new language, different weather, different intensity. I see Estêvão like a brother.”
For Chelsea, this is precisely what the project was designed to produce: internal growth, shared ambition and players who mature together.
By all accounts, Andrey Santos now looks less like a prospect and more like proof of concept.