During his time with Chelsea, Santos demonstrated notable moments that underscored his potential. Three standout performances highlighted his impact in the midfield and his ability to influence key moments in matches. One of his most memorable displays came at the end of the 2025/26 season in a London derby against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge. Santos played the full 90 minutes as Chelsea secured a 2-1 home victory, partnering in the midfield with Moises Caicedo. He also contributed decisively in both ball progression and defensive work, scoring the winning goal and finishing with a clean slate in ball retention for the match.
Another notable performance occurred in a February fixture against Arsenal. Although Chelsea were on the losing side, Santos delivered a composed display in a deeper midfield role, operating alongside Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. He completed 98% of his passes (43 of 44), lost possession only once, and registered a flawless defensive contribution with 100% tackles won. His performance illustrated his ability to control tempo and maintain ball security under pressure, while also showcasing his capability in winning duels and maintaining positional discipline.
Earlier in the 2025 season, Santos also impressed during a high-scoring clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers. In a 7-goal thriller, he was Chelsea’s standout performer, contributing a goal and an assist. He scored from outside the box with his weaker foot and offered additional defensive value, underscoring his versatility and willingness to contribute in attack and defense.
Across these performances, Santos showed a blend of technical quality, defensive tenacity, and decision-making beyond his years. His ability to play in a deeper midfield role, distribute accurately, and contribute in both phases of play made him a highly regarded prospect within Chelsea’s squad.
With United pursuing Santos, the move aligns with the club’s strategy of adding young, high-potential midfielders who can develop into key contributors. At 22, Santos has the room to grow into a central figure in United’s setup, bringing energy, ball progression, and a disciplined defensive work-rate to the midfield.
In summary, Santos’s Chelsea tenure included several standout showings that highlighted his ceiling. The transfer to Manchester United marks a new chapter for a player tipped for further growth, as he seeks to translate his performances into regular first-team action at a major Premier League club.
