Andrey Santos suffers from Romeo Lavia return but still has major role to play | OneFootball

Andrey Santos scored Chelsea’s opening goal in the 4-3 win over Wolves in midweek, and he then spoke to the media in Brazil about how Enzo Maresca’s tactical changes were helping him.

It wasn’t just Chelsea’s first goal of the game, it was also Santos’ first goal as a Blue, and he was clearly delighted with it.

Santos on his development under Enzo Maresca

Andrey Santos celebrates his first Chelsea goal. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

“The first goal is always very special. I’d been trying for some time, but something was always missing. Maresca gives me freedom to arrive in attack as a surprise element, like I did at Strasbourg. This time, it worked, and I’m happy to help the team,” the midfielder said in quotes picked up by SportWitness

“I work hard every day to evolve, to understand the game better and to improve my weaknesses. It’s been a special start to the season. I hope to grow and continue this process.”

Sadly Santos didn’t get off the bench against Tottenham, although given how well the team were playing for most of the game, there was no need. He’s likely to be one of the unlucky sods who has to go to play away in Qarabag this week.

The return of Romeo Lavia was always going to make things trickier for Santos, but he’ll have more chances to come in a busy season ahead. If he keeps improving, he’s going to be a real weapon.

In other news…

Moises Caicedo was a machine in the game yesterday, and among the highest praise you can get as a midfielder is being compared to N’Golo Kante.

There’s loads more good stuff in this interview about Estevao’s early years. There’s a story about how he had to be taken off midway through games to keep other parents happy.