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€70m Chelsea star admits to 'SUFFERING' after joining Blues
Tom Weber
- Updated: 10 Sept 2025 14:24 BST
- 4 min read
News
Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos has admitted that he 'suffered' when he first arrived in England and even began questioning whether he knew 'how to play football anymore.'
The Brazil international joined the Blues as a highly-rated 18-year-old in 2023 from Vasco de Gama, but it wasn't until earlier this summer that he became a regular part of the first team.
An unsuccessful loan to Nottingham Forest in the first half of the 2023/24 season was cut short in January, with Santos being moved to sister club Strasbourg instead.
Current ETV
Andrey Santos
M, DM (C)
Chelsea
Andrey Santos
M, DM (C)
Chelsea
ETV Range
€44.9M - €54.9M
He returned to Strasbourg last summer and established himself as one of Ligue 1's best midfielders, prompting Chelsea to finally give him a shot with the seniors this season.
Santos recently confirmed that he turned down a lucrative €70 million move to Saudi Arabia to stay at Chelsea and finally get a chance to prove himself in the Premier League.
Santos on Chelsea 'suffering'
Speaking to Globo Esporte, the 21-year-old has now opened up on his difficulties of adapting to life in Europe, revealing that he began questioning his own ability after his first sessions with Chelsea.
“I arrived very young, went straight into Chelsea’s pre-season and it was a shock of reality,” he said. “I got home thinking I didn’t know how to play football anymore because of the difference in intensity.
"I did well in pre-season but opted to go on loan. Unfortunately, I didn’t play either [at Forest]. It was a difficult process, but I matured a lot. Every player who arrives early in Europe suffers.
"The hardest part is playing, because training and games are always at high intensity. After two or three months, you adapt to the rhythm of the Premier League. That’s when you show your potential. Today, I feel adapted."
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