Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
In the summer transfer window, Manchester United signed Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £50m.
At the time, it looked like a good deal for all three parties. United got a good midfield player, Santos joined a team with less competition in his position and Chelsea made a profit.
However, Santos must now be wondering whether he made the right choice, while Xabi Alonso would probably love to have the Brazilian right now.
Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson
Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson
Andrey Santos could be starting for Chelsea right now instead of being on Manchester United’s bench
The reality is Santos would probably be starting for Chelsea had he decided to remain at Stamford Bridge.
The 22-year-old left Chelsea for more first-team opportunities but could have got that under Alonso.
Following Enzo Fernandez’s move to Manchester City on deadline day and the collapse of Lamine Camara’s transfer to Chelsea, the Blues are light in midfield.
Both Moises Caicedo and Jordan Henderson are injured, which has left Romeo Lavia and Valentin Barco as the only natural midfielders available for selection.
Lavia can only play about an hour maximum, though, after all of his fitness problems.
The above has seen Alonso use Reece James and Malo Gusto, two right-backs, in midfield. Gusto in the engine room is not a long-term solution, and it is an experiment that no one would probably have had to see if Santos had stayed at Chelsea.
Andrey Santos of Chelsea
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Instead of lining up for Chelsea in midfield, Santos is now sitting on United’s bench. He started in their first game of the season against Hull City before being dropped for the next two matches.
You can argue it is hindsight, but the truth is Santos would be playing for Chelsea right now. Sometimes, a little bit of patience does pay off.
Chelsea will still be happy with the money they have made from Santos’ sale, but supporters would much prefer to have the Brazilian in midfield than Gusto.