Chelsea loanee labelled “exceptional” as manager shares what he has that “a 20-year-old player shouldn’t” | OneFootball

Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior has hailed Andrey Santos as an “exceptional player” and believes he has a reading of the game a player his age shouldn’t have.

The Blues agreed a deal in January 2023 to sign Santos from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama in a deal worth around £13m.

Santos spent the remainder of the 2022/2023 campaign back on loan at Vasco, before linking up with Chelsea when Mauricio Pochettino took charge.

Rosenior on exceptional Santos

Santos impressed in pre-season under Pochettino, but the decision was taken to send him on loan to Nottingham Forest to get regular first team football.

On paper it appeared a great move for the midfielder, but the reality was very different, and after playing just 97 minutes he was recalled in January 2024.

Santos was sent to Strasbourg for the second part of that season and after a slow start he found his feet and put in some impressive performances.

There were reports Santos would be part of Enzo Maresca’s squad for this season, but the 20-year-old was once again sent to Strasbourg.

Santos has scored eight goals in all competitions for Strasbourg this season. (Photo by Francois Nascimbeni/AFP via Getty Images)

Santos has gone up a level this season and has excelled in Ligue 1, where he’s arguably been Strasbourg’s best player, with the youngster scoring seven goals from midfield in 21 league appearances.

The midfielder has caught the attention of Bayern Munich with his performances, but Chelsea are said to be planning for him to be a key part of the squad next season.

Rosenior has been really impressed by Santos this season and claimed he has a reading of the game a player his age shouldn’t have.

“Andrey [Santos] has been on top since I met him,” he said as cited on X.com.

“He is an exceptional player for us who shows great professionalism. He has a reading of the game that a 20-year-old player shouldn’t have.

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I’m not surprised he’s the second-highest scorer on the team, because he has a natural sense of purpose and an ability to feel the shots.”

Chelsea fans will be hoping the club don’t sell him in the summer, and whilst he shouldn’t be sold, it can’t be ruled out under this ownership.