Andrey Santos was once a kid in Rio de Janeiro who played futsal. He began playing the small-sided indoor version of soccer with a heavier ball to lose weight before switching to the 11-a-side game.
Santos' talent with a ball at his feet was soon on show, and he joined the Vasco da Gama youth academy. He went on to star for the first team of the Brazilian team before moving to Chelsea. However, game time did not come easily at Stamford Bridge.
The midfielder was sent on loan back to Vasco. He was then loaned to Nottingham Forest, but played just once in the Premier League. Santos finally got a run of games during a loan spell at Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg.
He played 45 times for the French side in all competitions, scoring 12 goals with five assists. Santos' form in Ligue 1 has led to him getting a chance for Chelsea at the Club World Cup over the summer. He played four times in the tournament in the United States, which included a substitute appearance in the 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the final.
Andrey Santos is on his way to becoming a Chelsea favorite
Santos has since featured regularly for Chelsea this season in the Premier League and the Champions League. He now has his first goal for the club, scoring the opener in the Blues' 4-3 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the EFL Cup this week.
The Brazilian also set up his compatriot Estevao in the match against Wolves. However, finding the back of the net was a dream come true. Santos was quoted on Chelsea's official website, saying, "I’m so happy to score my first goal for Chelsea. This moment is amazing in my career, and my wife and my parents know that I’ve always dreamed of this. I’m so happy to score. It’s been a process; that's normal. Now I’m here, I’m so happy."
Santos is becoming a key part of Enzo Maresca's side, but he needs to kick on from scoring his first Chelsea goal. This begins in the London derby against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League tomorrow.
He is now a Brazilian international with four caps. If Santos is to continue this fantastic form, then there is no reason that he cannot be a part of Carlo Ancelotti's plans for the World Cup in North America next summer.