Andrey Santos
Chelsea secured a vital victory in Lancashire, defeating Burnley with goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez, to extend their winning streak. Andrey Santos, awarded Player of the Match, played a pivotal role in the midfield, stepping up in the absence of Moises Caicedo. Despite the win, Santos is urging more from himself and his teammates as they prepare for challenging fixtures against Barcelona and Arsenal.
Andrey Santos said: “Of course, now we are in second in the league. So, of course, we are confident, but we always want more and more. Because when you talk about Chelsea, we want to win every game. It’s a big week. We have Barcelona first and then Arsenal. It’s a great week. I would say, before, we are Chelsea. We work hard and want to win every game.”
Santos added: “It’s hard to say one position [that he prefers to play] because I like to play like a No.8 or like a No.6. I think it is efficient for the coach if he thinks that the better I play like a No.8, I will do my best. But if he thinks that I can play like a No.6, like today, I will do my best.”
Santos continued: “I think the adaptation is a little bit hard because the Premier League, when you talk about the Premier League, it’s the championship that’s the hardest in the world. But now my teammates have helped me a lot.”
Santos was tasked with the role of Chelsea’s deepest midfielder, filling in for Caicedo, who returned from international duty with Ecuador just over a day before the match. Chelsea manager, Maresca, opted not to use Caicedo, marking the first time since December 2023 that Chelsea played a Premier League match without the Ecuadorian’s involvement. Santos’ performance alongside Fernandez in the midfield was particularly noteworthy, as Maresca highlighted the Brazilian’s effectiveness in this role post-match.
Santos’ impact in his debut Premier League season has been gradually building, and his recent performances suggest he is finding his footing in the English top flight. With crucial matches against Barcelona and Arsenal on the horizon, Chelsea will be hoping Santos can continue his impressive form and help maintain their momentum in the league.
About The Author
