Andrey Santos: Strasbourg Star Among the Best Midfielders in 2024-25

Santos, who is on loan to Strasbourg from Chelsea, has recorded nine goals and three assists in 26 appearances across all competitions. This production spotlights the adversity that the 20-year-old has overcome transitioning from Brazil to European football.

After joining the Blues, the midfielder went on loan to Nottingham Forest, where he only made two appearances. Once that loan spell was cut short, Santos joined Strasbourg in the middle of last season, making 11 appearances and scoring one goal.

Under new manager Liam Rosenior, Santos has flourished and in an interview with The Athletic, he shared the traits that make the player special.

“Andrey is going to have a magnificent career. You forget how young some of them are. Andrey plays like he’s 32. I call him Dunga (after Brazil’s 1994 World Cup-winning captain): he’s Brazilian but he doesn’t play like one. He’s so smart and his stats are through the roof, in terms of scoring goals, winning duels. He’s going to have an outstanding career.”

The Strasbourg standout has turned himself into an attacking option from the midfield, as the only midfielder with more goals than Santos is Auxerre's Hamed Junior Traorè.

At his young age, Santos still has room to improve certain aspects of his game, like his passing, to become a more dangerous attacking player. Meanwhile, other midfielders, such as Paris Saint-Germain's João Neves and Désiré Doué, have already registered eight and six assists, respectively.

While Santos can still improve his passing, his defensive skills stand out. He ranks fourth in Ligue 1 McDonald's for tackles plus interceptions with 104 with only Toulouse FC's Cristian Cásseres Jr., Auxerre's Elisha Owusu, and LOSC Lille's Benjamin André.

Santos also ranks 10th in blocks with 35, showing that when he needs to step up defensively, he's among the best in Ligue 1 McDonald's.

As Strasbourg push for an international competition spot next season, Santos will be key on both ends of the pitch, helping the team secure European football.

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