Chelsea have been compelled to manage with out the influential N’Golo Kante for a lot of this season, as harm issues and age meet up with the as soon as world-class midfielder.
Whereas the Frenchman is predicted to return from harm quickly and will play a giant half beneath Graham Potter because the Blues goal a European end within the Premier League, the 31-year-old’s contract scenario signifies that Chelsea ought to already be planning on find out how to substitute him.
The previous Leicester Metropolis man might be set to go away Stamford Bridge on a free switch this summer time when his present contract expires however Potter might have already got a ready-made alternative in 18-year-old expertise, Andrey Santos.
Who’s Andrey Santos?
The teenage midfielder would transfer to Stamford Bridge in January of this 12 months, signing in a deal value a reported £18m, which represents one other vital outlay from Todd Boehly, particularly for a participant so younger.
Nevertheless, there’s each motive to consider in Santos’ potential, as he has already established himself as a key first-team participant at Vasco da Gama in Brazil, notching eight targets in 42 appearances for Maurício Barbieri’s aspect, having rejoined them on mortgage within the January switch window.
Though he performs predominantly as a defensive midfielder, {the teenager} clearly has a watch for purpose, as he completed the latest U20 South American Championships with six targets in eight video games as Brazil claimed the title.
{The teenager} has already caught the attention of former Brazil worldwide Juninho Pernambucano, who sang his praises after he broke into Vasco da Gama’s first group final season, serving to them earn promotion from Serie B.
He stated: “I’ve by no means seen a participant, at 18, as prepared as he’s. Bodily, he is a beast, technically he is on a excessive degree. He is not going to be higher than me, he’ll be a lot better than me.”
The previous Lyon man continued: “He’s a way more full participant. At 18, I didn’t play half as a lot as he does, I’m not ashamed to say that.”
May Andrey Santos substitute Kante?
Though Kante has been restricted to simply two appearances within the Premier League to date this season, his 7.20 common score from WhoScored.
This sees him ranked because the number-one participant in Potter’s squad, which emphasises how a lot of a loss it could be for the previous Brighton boss to see him depart this summer time.
Whereas stories have urged that he’s near a brand new three-year-deal, the Frenchman will flip 32 in just a few days’ time and can’t be anticipated to carry out perpetually on this Chelsea midfield.
If and when Kante does want changing, Potter ought to flip to the thrilling Santos, who definitely seems to be to have the bodily attributes and potential required to fill the World Cup winner’s boots at Chelsea.
Equally outfitted to be that box-to-box presence, the Blues may effectively save thousands and thousands, trying to unleash the younger Brazilian subsequent to the likes of Enzo Fernandez, slightly than spending extra within the switch market.
Though but to make his Chelsea debut, Santos may effectively be able to explode subsequent time period.
