Former Brazil international Juninho has described Andrey Santos as “a beast”, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Chelsea have completed the signing of the 18-year-old wonderkid.
While the Blues are yet to formally confirm the transfer, Romano has reported that the Brazilian midfielder is set to join for just over £11 million (€12.5 million).
Santos will reportedly join Chelsea from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama, where he debuted at just 16 years old. His eight goals and eight assists last season were crucial in helping the team get promoted from Brazil’s Serie B.
He is regarded as one of Brazil’s most exciting talents, with Juninho speaking highly of him in the summer of 2022.
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Juninho: Santos Will Be “Much Better” Than Me
Chelsea Wonderkid Receives Fantastic Praise
Juninho Pernambucano on Chelsea’s new signing Andrey Santos: “I’ve never seen a player, at 18, as ready as he is”, he said in July. 🇧🇷 #CFC
“Physically, he’s a beast, technically he’s on a high level. He’s not going to be better than me, he’s going to be much better than me”. pic.twitter.com/p02Nhsw3k0
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 1, 2023
Speaking in July last year, former Vasco da Gama player Juninho heaped praise onto Santos who had just turned 18.
“I’ve never seen a player, at 18, as ready as he is,” Juninho said. “Physically, he’s a beast, technically he’s on a high level.
“He’s not going to be better than me, he’s going to be much better than me.”
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Juninho made 40 appearances for the Brazilian national team between 1999 and 2006. He scored six goals at international level, and 75 at Olympique Lyonnais where he spent eight years as a player. He is often credited with being the greatest free-kick taker of all time.
Santos the Latest Young Star To Join Chelsea’s Ranks
Juninho’s comments will come as music to the ears of Chelsea fans, with Todd Boehly and the club continuing to sign some of the world’s best young talents.
Carney Chuckwuemeka joined from Aston Villa in the summer, along with Omari Hutchinson from Arsenal, Cesare Casadei from Inter Milan, Gabriel Slonina from MLS team Chicago Fire, and Wesley Fofana from Leicester City.
Fofana is the oldest signing out of that group, having just turned 22 last month. Chuckwuemeka, Hutchinson, Casadei and Slonina were no older than 19 when they signed, and have all been recruited with a long-term project in mind.
It is a model that Chelsea have continued to follow in January. They have confirmed the signing of 20-year-old David Datro Fofana from Norwegian side Molde, while Santos and 21-year-old Monaco centre back Benoît Badiashile are expected to sign this month as well.
It is unlikely that they will be the last signings this window either, with Chelsea continuing to push for 21-year-old World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez. However, signing the Argentinian will not be easy, with Benfica telling Chelsea they must meet his £105 million (€120 million) release clause.
