Andrey Santos is all set to complete a move from Chelsea to Manchester United this summer. Let’s take a look at the story that was his career at Stamford Bridge.
Santos is set to leave for a massive £50m fee, more than double what the Blues paid to bring him in from Vasco de Gama.
Chelsea actually signed the Brazilian all the way back in January 2023, however he spent time on loan back at the Vasco, as well as with Nottingham Forest and later Strasbourg.
Santos is one of Chelsea’s most-underrated players 🧩
Man United and Newcastle are interested.
It was with the fellow BlueCo club where he started to make his name, impressing under Liam Rosenior and being brought into the Chelsea squad ahead of the Club World Cup in 2025.
Despite not being a regular starter ahead of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, Santos would make 43 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea last season, scoring three goals.
The highlight moment was his only Premier League goal for the Blues in their penultimate game of the season which turned out to be the winner against Tottenham.
There were some notable low points too. An inexcusable mistake against Brighton at Stamford Bridge led to Trevoh Chalobah’s red card, and a complete capitulation for the Blues on the pitch.
Ultimately, the Brazilian couldn’t break into the side ahead of the South American duo, but also found himself behind Romeo Lavia in the pecking order when fit.
Under both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior, Reece James was also seen as a more desirable midfield option than Santos, which perhaps leads to his frustration and desire to leave the club.
Incoming manager Xabi Alonso reportedly sees James as a midfielder too, making opportunities very difficult to see coming if Santos had stayed at Chelsea.
A lack of starting opportunities in the back end of the season eventually led to Santos not being selected for the Brazil squad by Carlo Ancelotti for the 2026 World Cup.
Chelsea fans, share your expectations for Xabi Alonso! 🏆
Alonso wants to add some physical dominance to his midfield, and this is an area where the Brazilian does not specialise in.
Santos’ career will not be one that is remembered as much as many believed it would, with the excitement that was building over the two years he hadn’t actually appeared for the Blues.
He is now likely to go down the Mason Mount route of being despised by the Stamford Bridge faithful after making the move to one of their big Premier League rivals.
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