- Andrey Santos debuted for Chelsea against ES Tunis in the FIFA Club World Cup, playing 22 minutes.
- Fans had mixed reactions, noting early struggles but praising his assist and potential.
- It seems likely that Santos' debut was seen as promising, with fans excited for his future role.
Andrey Santos, a 21-year-old Brazilian midfielder who joined Chelsea from Vasco da Gama in January 2023, finally made his competitive debut for the club on June 25, 2025, during their FIFA Club World Cup match against ES Tunis.
Santos' debut
The match against ES Tunis was Chelsea's final group stage game in the FIFA Club World Cup, a tournament where the team had already secured a knockout stage spot. This context allowed manager Enzo Maresca to rotate the squad, providing an opportunity for fringe players like Santos to gain minutes. Chelsea won the match 3-0, setting the stage for Santos' impactful, albeit brief, appearance.
Santos' debut was significant not only for its timing but also for his background. Having been loaned out three times since joining Chelsea, his integration into the first team had been delayed, making this debut a moment of both anticipation and scrutiny for fans. The match, occurring in the early hours of Wednesday morning, saw Santos come on as a substitute in the second half, replacing Enzo Fernandez, which added to the narrative of his gradual introduction to Maresca’s tactical system.
What did you make of Andrey Santos’ debut? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/00jetHWQyj
— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) June 25, 2025
Analysis
Santos played for 22 minutes, during which he displayed a mix of challenges and contributions. Initial reports and fan observations, as seen in X posts, noted that he struggled early on, making at least four mistakes in less than 10 minutes that nearly led to goals. This was attributed to his adjustment to Maresca’s philosophy, which some fans felt he was not yet in tune with, as evidenced by comments like "Andrey Santos predictably looking like a 21-year-old making his debut for a big club."
However, Santos redeemed himself towards the end of his time on the pitch. He won a penalty, which was controversially overturned by VAR, and provided an assist for Tyrique George’s goal in the final minutes, securing Chelsea’s 3-0 win. Statistical breakdowns from X posts highlighted his performance:
Andrey Santos only needed 22 minutes to get his first assist for Chelsea. 🇧🇷🌠 pic.twitter.com/mUe9MV9qKF
— Bridgways. (@Bridgways) June 25, 2025
The overall sentiment on X leaned toward optimism, with fans recognizing Santos' potential despite initial struggles. The mixed reactions—concern over early mistakes juxtaposed with praise for his assist and stats—reflect a realistic assessment of a young player making his debut for a big club.
Comparing Santos' debut to expectations, it aligns with the trajectory of young players at big clubs, where initial struggles are common but can be overcome with time. Still a very young talent who will only get better and better.
