Chelsea: Andrey Santos opens up on 'perfect' relationship with Estevao and talks favourite position | OneFootball

Brazilian also explains why he is now ‘ready’ for the Premier League after a difficult introduction to English football

He scored his first goal for Chelsea in last week’s 4-3 Carabao Cup win at Wolves and is expected to start when Chelsea face Azerbaijani side Qarabag in Baku in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Among the options on the right wing for manager Enzo Maresca is Estevao, the 18-year-old sensation who has made a lively start to life at Stamford Bridge and is a close friend of his compatriot Santos.

“This is a hard question, because when I was young I always played like a No6,” Santos said when asked to name his best position.

Estevao spoke to the media ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League game against Qarabag

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

“In the Premier League, it’s a little bit different. I can play in both positions, No6 and No8. I think the most important thing is helping Chelsea and helping my team-mates.

“If the coach wants me to play like a No6, I will do my best, and if he wants me to play like a No8, I will do my best too.”

Chelsea’s three Brazilians Santos, Estevao and Joao Pedro all have a good relationship and socialise outside of the club, as well as sharing jokes at the training ground at Cobham.

“I speak French, English, Portuguese and Spanish too. It’s important to help Estevao. Sometimes I have to translate something for him,” Santos said.

“I arrived here young, like Estevao. I know how difficult it is to be here in the Premier League if you’re 18 years old.

“We are always together in the training ground and on the outside too. Our relationship is perfect, because we always go to the national team together. We do a lot of things together. It’s important to go on the pitch with these relationships.”

Chelsea signed Santos in January 2023 before immediately loaning him back to Brazil, then loaned him to Nottingham Forest in August later that year.

But his first taste of the Premier League was a miserable experience, and he was re-called by Chelsea in January 2024 having made only two appearances in five months.

“I’m very happy to be back in the Premier League,” Santos said on Tuesday.

“This competition is the best in the world. I was at Forest when I was 18 or 19 - too young - and now I feel I’m more ready to play in the Premier League.”