Opinion

Incredible Andrey Santos statistic proves his rapid improvement and route into the Chelsea XI

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Chelsea supporters should be mega excited about the return of Andrey Santos next season from his loan spell.

There are a number of players owned by Chelsea enjoying impressive stints out on loan during the 2024/25 season, but what Andrey Santos is doing in Ligue 1 is massively standing out.

At the age of 20, Santos is playing a huge role for a Strasbourg side putting together an unlikely bid for European qualification in the French top division. The box-to-box midfielder has been wearing the captain’s armband in recent games, too.

It’s previously been reported that Chelsea are planning to integrate Santos next season into their first-team group.

During a recent interview, Santos insisted he’s ready for Chelsea, even though his focus is on finishing the campaign strongly with Strasbourg. Without a doubt, the Brazilian youngster is growing into something quite special.

FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-STRASBOURG-TOULOUSE
Photo by FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP via Getty Images

Andrey Santos statistic highlights huge improvement in attack

One of the main areas where Santos has improved massively this season is his goal threat. He’s become a genuine goalscoring central midfielder, someone who provides a massive attacking threat for Strasbourg.

In fact, a remarkable statistic is that Santos has now scored as many goals across all competitions in the 2024/25 campaign as in his three previous seasons.

Here is a look at Santos’ goal record in senior club football across the last few years.

SeasonClubAppearancesGoals
2021/22Vasca da Gama368
2022/23Vasca da Gama111
2023/24Nottingham Forest, Strasbourg131
2024/25 (Current)Strasbourg2710
Andrey Santos statistics via Transfermarkt

French media described Santos as ‘essential’ last week for his involvement in Strasbourg’s play going forward. Even though he’s a central midfielder, he’s definitely got a licence to roam higher up the pitch.

Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior predicts big things for Santos moving forward in his career, claiming the youngster will enjoy an “outstanding” career.

FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-TOULOUSE-STRASBOURG
Photo by LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP via Getty Images

Andrey Santos route into Chelsea XI may be as a goalscoring midfielder

When you watch Santos play football, he ticks nearly every box as a complete midfielder. The on-loan Strasbourg ace does a bit of everything on the pitch, both offensively and defensively.

AppearancesShotsSuccessful passesChances createdSuccessful dribblesTackles wonInterceptionsAverage rating
25321,037221560227.74
Andrey Santos in Ligue 1 during the 2024/25 season via FOTMOB

However, it’s his development as an attacking threat that we think may actually help him find a route into Chelsea’s starting line-up next season.

In Chelsea’s squad this season, Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku are the only players to hit double digits for goals across all competitions (both 14). If Santos can replicate his goalscoring form from this year, he suddenly becomes an even more attractive midfield options for the Blues.

The Brazilian youngster has 10 goals across all competitions for Strasbourg, including nine in the league.