Andrey Santos put in yet another excellent performance for Chelsea's sister-club Strasbourg in Friday evening's 4-2 Ligue 1 win over Lyon. The 20-year-old has been a hugely trending topic in recent months with his form and future heavily debated.
Despite being one of the first wonderkid signings of the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital era, Santos struggled for consistency to begin with. A challenging loan spell at Nottingham Forest was his first taste of English football, but his temporary move to France has been far more fruitful.
The Brazilian quickly established himself as a regular starter in midfield under Liam Rosenior and he has since been trusted with the captain's armband. With Strasbourg unbeaten in seven and losing just twice since December, Santos and his teammates are making a real push for a European spot.
Coming out on top in that six-goal thriller with Lyon took them above their opponents and into fifth on 46 points, just three off Marseille in second. There were surprisingly no goals in the first half but the action soon got going with Santos scoring the first of three in just seven minutes when he headed home from a corner.
He is now into double-figures for goals from midfield with his display in the engine room equally impressive. Santos won seven of his 11 duals while also making two tackles, interceptions and clearances along with five ball recoveries.
After the game, he took to social media in celebration while also paying tribute to Manchester City star Savinho. In an Instagram post, he wrote: "Thank you for everything God! [hands together, blue circle and white circle emoji].
Andrey Santos' post to social media after Strasbourg's win on Friday
Andrey Santos posted to social media after Strasbourg's win on Friday (Image: Andrey Santos on Instagram)
"Another victory, and another goal, it’s for you @savinho May she come with much sweetness! [red heart emoji]." Santos is likely referencing the fact Savinho and his partner are expecting a baby with his celebration involving placing a ball under his shirt.
Fellow Chelsea loanee Djordje Petrovic is also shining at Strasbourg with the goalkeeper making a staggering nine saves to help his side claim another three points. Prior to this win and the 2-1 victory against Toulouse, he had kept five successive clean sheets and it is quite clear that both are making a point to Enzo Maresca.
On Santos, several clubs have shown an interest in acquiring his services with the player himself seemingly unsure where he will be next season. "Of course, you want to play for the biggest clubs in Europe, for a very big club like Chelsea," he said in a recent interview with ESPN.
"You dream of that moment but I think, at this moment, you have to have a clear head, finish the season here and make the best choice when the season is over."
On his future, he added: “I don’t think that a specific decision has been made. No one has come to talk to me directly. Everything is in the hands of the club and my agents.”
However, it does appear as though the current plan is for him to feature in Chelsea's Club World Campaign this summer.
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Cole Palmer of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's second goal from the penalty spot with team mate Jadon Sancho during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Stamford Bridge on September 28, 2024
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