Andrey Santos

[Ali Dia]

I expect this too, but i think it'll be Sangare at the end of the window.

Could be yeah. Santos plays as a 6 for Chelsea but was a good box to box in Brazil and France so it's hard to know exactly where he'll play but what's for sure is Mainoo is back doing a lot better sitting than he was going box to box but who knows really

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

It's not an obsession, it's lessons learnt from the past 13 years for feck sake. How can any United fan not understand that

Again, the issue from the past 13 years isn't "oh we overpaid for players". It's that we scouted poorly, had 0 cohesive direction on targets and how we wanted a team to fit together, and THEN were worst in class at negotiating and valuing players properly.

Too many are sticking on the fee part of any deal (again, fees have doubled in the past 10 years but people's brains haven't caught up yet), without understanding that the real issue was that we were mostly buying crap players/poor fits for these fees as well which points more towards a transfer directive/scouting/decision maker issue than just "overpaying". Then we'd be far too slow to move on once it was evident that these players couldn't hack it, and their value would be run into the ground and we'd sell for pennies.

We are Manchester United. We SHOULD be topping the lists for most expensive fees paid, that's what the biggest clubs in the world do. It's not some badge of honor to never be buying the best and most expensive players. I'd rather buy Olise for 150m than pay 60m for 3 different mediocre players that are instantly not good enough within a year and become difficult to sell. Obviously the hope is to scout perfectly and buy any elite player when they still cost pennies and have them erupt here but that's not a realistic strategy for a huge club looking to contend for titles. You can pull those signings off as supplemental signings but we'll always go into every window looking for upgrades on existing starters.

 

[surf]

Yup!

And Stepney, the most successful signing from Chelsea. He only played one game for them and was one of Tommy Doc's strangest transfer decisions.

 

[SATA]

Is it weird that i’m not even aware he exists, never mind being a player for Chelsea? I’m normally quite clued up on Premier League players

 

[lean]

Is it weird that i’m not even aware he exists, never mind being a player for Chelsea? I’m normally quite clued up on Premier League players

The bible would be a quicker read than flicking through Chelseas squad roster so not that weird to be honest

 

[duffer]

Is it weird that i’m not even aware he exists, never mind being a player for Chelsea? I’m normally quite clued up on Premier League players

You not knowing something isn't weird. In fact it's pretty normal.

*I'm kidding!

He played more than 40 times for Chelsea last season. Here's a YouTube video with terrible music of his game against you guys ..

 

[SmashedHombre]

Is it weird that i’m not even aware he exists, never mind being a player for Chelsea? I’m normally quite clued up on Premier League players

I'm not sure Chelsea are even aware he exists, so I wouldn't worry.

 

[croadyman]

Would take if we got Tchouameni or Wharton too heck I am in the minority that wants Camavinga if available

 

[scottydoesntknow]

I would have been happy with him as our 3rd choice midfielder but if we sign him AND Ederson it's a massive gamble - either or/only one of them for me. Potential is only potential and we're great at stunting a players growth these days. We need to secure champions league again whilst competing with other teams who are making us look like a joke in the transfer market. Could it work? Yes, but we need experience in the middle of the park, not a load of gambles who chances are we will end up trying to replace in a season or two.

 

[croadyman]

I would have been happy with him as our 3rd choice midfielder but if we sign him AND Ederson it's a massive gamble - either or/only one of them for me. Potential is only potential and we're great at stunting a players growth these days. We need to secure champions league again whilst competing with other teams who are making us look like a joke in the transfer market. Could it work? Yes, but we need experience in the middle of the park, not a load of gambles who chances are we will end up trying to replace in a season or two.

Yeah completely agree

 

[Lash]

You not knowing something isn't weird. In fact it's pretty normal.

*I'm kidding!

He played more than 40 times for Chelsea last season. Here's a YouTube video with terrible music of his game against you guys ..

I thought he was good in this game and why it piqued my interest when we were linked previously. There be treasure in that bloated squad of yours.

 

[WeePat]

We rejected a £45m offer from West Ham last summer. I don't think a £35m offer is going to cut it.

There's also something weird about this. One of the reasons I saw reported for why he's 'open to leaving' was Caicedo signed an extension, but his original contract ran until 2032, new one is 2033. He's also not a direct Caicedo understudy, they played together a bunch of times and compliment each other well. Meanwhile, we have Enzo causing a massive stink to force himself out.

 

[VP89]

We rejected a £45m offer from West Ham last summer. I don't think a £35m offer is going to cut it.

There's also something weird about this. One of the reasons I saw reported for why he's 'open to leaving' was Caicedo signed an extension, but his original contract ran until 2032, new one is 2033. He's also not a direct Caicedo understudy, they played together a bunch of times and compliment each other well. Meanwhile, we have Enzo causing a massive stink to force himself out.

It reads like Alonso doesn't have space for his profile and prefers a Xakha mould?

On that - I've not seen him outside of a sub appearance vs us. What is his profile? Whats he good at, whats he bad at? Whats his ceiling?

 

[The holy trinity 68]

I would have been happy with him as our 3rd choice midfielder but if we sign him AND Ederson it's a massive gamble - either or/only one of them for me. Potential is only potential and we're great at stunting a players growth these days. We need to secure champions league again whilst competing with other teams who are making us look like a joke in the transfer market. Could it work? Yes, but we need experience in the middle of the park, not a load of gambles who chances are we will end up trying to replace in a season or two.

By overpaying for overrated/overhyped players?

 

[Zed is not dead]

By overpaying for overrated/overhyped players?

Apart from City and Tottenham, virtually no teams made significant moves or high money transfers. People are making too much of transfer windows anyways

 

[WeePat]

It reads like Alonso doesn't have space for his profile and prefers a Xakha mould?

On that - I've not seen him outside of a sub appearance vs us. What is his profile? Whats he good at, whats he bad at? Whats his ceiling?

He's one of those players who is pretty good at 6, 8 and 10. Maybe 10 is a slight stretch but he can play there and be competent if needed.

He's a bit like Enzo Fernandez without the long passing range but quicker and more agile across the ground. That is the best way I can describe him.

He's neat and tidy, very press resistant, good passer, has an eye for goal, he's a great at box crashing (though he didn't get to show this with us last season) and defensively he's very strong, tackles well, protects the back 4 well etc.

I don't know if he's bad at anything in particular.

 

[WeePat]

All this noise feels like posturing from his agent. He's on very low wages. Leaking that United are interested and that you are 'open to leaving' is a good, tried and tested way to get your club offer you a new deal.

 

[VP89]

He's one of those players who is pretty good at 6, 8 and 10. Maybe 10 is a slight stretch but he can play there and be competent if needed.

He's a bit like Enzo Fernandez without the long passing range but quicker and more agile across the ground. That is the best way I can describe him.

He's neat and tidy, very press resistant, good passer, has an eye for goal, he's a great at box crashing (though he didn't get to show this with us last season) and defensively he's very strong, tackles well, protects the back 4 well etc.

I don't know if he's bad at anything in particular.

Thanks, maybe his negative is that hes an all rounder in being good at most things not great at anything.

 

[Xaviboy]

No brainer for him to join us. He will start alot more games for us.
Him and Ederson give us alot more energy in midfield and can cover ground.

 

[WeePat]

Thanks, maybe his negative is that hes an all rounder in being good at most things not great at anything.

Yeah possibly his biggest negative is that right now he isn't genuinely elite at anything in particular and his biggest strength is that he doesn't have any obvious weaknesses.

 

[Crimson King]

Yeah possibly his biggest negative is that right now he isn't genuinely elite at anything in particular and his biggest strength is that he doesn't have any obvious weaknesses.

I mean, I don't think Mateus Fernandes has shown he's elite at anything yet, just the potential for some of that. Yet, half the posters on here were close to committing seppuku when he joined Spurs...

 

[WeePat]

No brainer for him to join us. He will start alot more games for us.
Him and Ederson give us alot more energy in midfield and can cover ground.

Santos, Ederson and Mainoo, who starts more in a midfield 2?

At Chelsea, he's sat behind Enzo and Caicedo and there's a clear hierarchy there, although Maresca often played all 3 together with Enzo pushing up the pitch but still, the hierarchy is there and he was always the midfielder to be dropped to the bench if we needed an extra winger or defender on pitch.

 

[WeePat]

I mean, I don't think Mateus Fernandes has shown he's elite at anything yet, just the potential for some of that. Yet, half the posters on here were close to committing seppuku when he joined Spurs...

I suppose people have seen a helluva lot more of Fernandes than Santos.

Fernandes started 35 prem matches. Santos got 26 starts in all comps but only 13 starts in the prem.

 

[AnotherLondonManc]

All this noise feels like posturing from his agent. He's on very low wages. Leaking that United are interested and that you are 'open to leaving' is a good, tried and tested way to get your club offer you a new deal.

Not sure how effective this is when you're not a starter and on a 32 year contract. I imagine he does want a new contract, but Chelsea won't be giving him one

 

[Bondi77]

Yeah possibly his biggest negative is that right now he isn't genuinely elite at anything in particular and his biggest strength is that he doesn't have any obvious weaknesses.

That is a great strengh to have for a young player and he has plenty of time on his side to improve.

 

[WeePat]

Not sure how effective this is when you're not a starter and on a 32 year contract. I imagine he does want a new contract, but Chelsea won't be giving him one

But he knows he's highly rated and that there is a demand for him from other big clubs and perhaps he thinks Chelsea will think they can't afford to lose him to direct domestic rival.

Maybe it's just cope on my part.

 

[The holy trinity 68]

Apart from City and Tottenham, virtually no teams made significant moves or high money transfers. People are making too much of transfer windows anyways

Exactly.

 

[VP89]

Santos, Ederson and Mainoo, who starts more in a midfield 2?

At Chelsea, he's sat behind Enzo and Caicedo and there's a clear hierarchy there, although Maresca often played all 3 together with Enzo pushing up the pitch but still, the hierarchy is there and he was always the midfielder to be dropped to the bench if we needed an extra winger or defender on pitch.

Plenty of gametime potential if the club is in Europe. I think Santos leaving may be driven by his profile not suiting what Alonso wants. It reads like Alonso wants a conductor of sorts in midfield and Santos is a sellable asset to fund it.

 

[Crimson King]

I suppose people have seen a helluva lot more of Fernandes than Santos.

Fernandes started 35 prem matches. Santos got 26 starts in all comps but only 13 starts in the prem.

Yeah that's fair

 

[Bastian]

Honestly, a squad player at Chelsea who has done feck all since joining, estimated at 50m. They bought him for less than 20m and he's not been any sort of revelation. If we pursue this we might as well just put the Bristol boys back in charge.

 

[Fresh Kit]

There's also something weird about this. One of the reasons I saw reported for why he's 'open to leaving' was Caicedo signed an extension, but his original contract ran until 2032, new one is 2033. He's also not a direct Caicedo understudy, they played together a bunch of times and compliment each other well. Meanwhile, we have Enzo causing a massive stink to force himself out.

It reads like Alonso doesn't have space for his profile and prefers a Xakha mould?

Don't Chelsea need to sell to raise funds? Given that they also have Lavia, Essugo and now Barco all coming in as relatively defensive midfielders, it just seems as if Santos is an obvious player they have the space to sell who will actually fetch a decent amount.

who has done feck all since joining

Best non-PSG CM in Ligue 1 in 24/25 at 20 years-old. Still only 21/22. This could be a 'Anderson before he moved from Newcastle to Forest' type thing, albeit for a higher fee.

People on here complain about not signing players before they break out and become stars, but once that happens they're less likely to be available.

 

[WeePat]

Plenty of gametime potential if the club is in Europe. I think Santos leaving may be driven by his profile not suiting what Alonso wants. It reads like Alonso wants a conductor of sorts in midfield and Santos is a sellable asset to fund it.

Could be, but he's still a very good player with a slightly different profile than what Alonso maybe wants. I've been told he isn't completely married to the 3atb system so there should be something there for him to fight for, plus there's still a huge question mark over Enzo's future, so even if we sign someone else with Xhaka's profile, Santos is still a very useful player to have.

 

[JE-0801]

Honestly, a squad player at Chelsea who has done feck all since joining, estimated at 50m. They bought him for less than 20m and he's not been any sort of revelation. If we pursue this we might as well just put the Bristol boys back in charge.

I agree. And also why are we helping Chelsea to raise fun by giving them 50m but they still get the chance to keep their starting XI midfielders? Even if Santos will become top class, you don't spend 50m for a player that the club doesn't even start regularly.

If they need 50m, they should give us Palmer or Caicedo.

 

[pascell]

Honestly, a squad player at Chelsea who has done feck all since joining, estimated at 50m. They bought him for less than 20m and he's not been any sort of revelation. If we pursue this we might as well just put the Bristol boys back in charge.

He's better than what you're making out and if we can get him for £40m then he'd be a solid signing.

He breaks up play, reads the game well, solid passing range off both feet and comes up with goals when arriving from midfield to the opposition box.

Type of player that at £40m and a solid season, becomes an £80m easily, especially if we get CL again.

 

[WeePat]

Don't Chelsea need to sell to raise funds? Given that they also have Lavia, Essugo and now Barco all coming in as relatively defensive midfielders, it just seems as if Santos is an obvious player they have the space to sell who will actually fetch a decent amount.

Potentially yes, but Essugo and Lavia are sick notes who are never available, so leaving the midfield room with Caicedo and Enzo backed up Lavia and Essugo (and Barco) seems very light, even in a season without Europe.

 

[Poborsky's hair]

Honestly, a squad player at Chelsea who has done feck all since joining, estimated at 50m. They bought him for less than 20m and he's not been any sort of revelation. If we pursue this we might as well just put the Bristol boys back in charge.

First of all we will not be paying a 50 for him, it will be closer to 40, then it's a great signing, because he's also on very low wages, so it's a great addition. He's definitely a talented player of the profile we need too, good casemiro replacement with more legs and overal he'd slot very well as a 6/CDM, he's productive too when pushed forward. He's got brasilian flair, so it's not liek he's only a destroyer.

And what's difficult to understand that he simply didnt feature much behind Caiceido and Enzo? He's joined as a 19year old, also alter being one of the best young players in French league. So yes he didnt show anything in Cherlsea because he's been loaned out to France. Maybe at least check his stats first before making judgement.

In today's market where Fernandes and Scott can go for 85 or 80m it's a steal and I would even say that he's at least as good as Scott who has a lot more to polish in his game and Fernandes only had a slightly better season because he played for WHU where he could getinto midfield easily and only had a breakthrough season. The next one can be his breakthrough and we should take the chance, unless our plan is different, i.e. Tchouameni. In that case we can pass because we need a more flair attacking player in midfield as well in addition to more defensive minded players which would be Tchouameni, Ederson, Mainoo...

 

[EireRed_GS]

Feels like scraping the barrel a bit here. He barely gets a kick for Chelsea, yet this is one of the guys to supposedly replace the void made by Casemiro??

We should be aiming a whole lot higher than this.

 

[The holy trinity 68]

I agree. And also why are we helping Chelsea to raise fun by giving them 50m but they still get the chance to keep their starting XI midfielders? Even if Santos will become top class, you don't spend 50m for a player that the club doesn't even start regularly.

If they need 50m, they should give us Palmer or Caicedo.

Wouldn't have Palmer given for free. Caicedo would be £100m.

 

[Trigestis]

Feels like scraping the barrel a bit here. He barely gets a kick for Chelsea, yet this is one of the guys to supposedly replace the void made by Casemiro??

We should be aiming a whole lot higher than this.

He played nearly 1600 minutes last season, and his competition are Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. Should he play ahead of those two?

 

[EireRed_GS]

He played nearly 1600 minutes last season, and his competition are Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. Should he play ahead of those two?

Hadn't realised he played that much.. I dont remember seeing him much in chelsea games tbh..

He prob shouldn't be on ahead of those.. but those two are the level we should really be aiming for. Fernandez would actually be a good signing, but i highly doubt we could get him