Supporters, however, often care more about on-pitch impact than profit margins, and many Chelsea fans would have preferred to keep Santos in the squad. At 22 years old, Santos isn’t viewed as a £100 million talisman like some peers, and he did not start every game last season. Yet when he did feature, he contributed effectively.
In possession, Santos was consistently neat and reliable, and his defensive work was solid. Data from Scout Lab indicate the Brazilian averaged 3.75 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes, placing him in the 92nd percentile among European midfielders for those actions.
Enzo Fernandez is widely regarded as a world-class midfielder, but pairing him with Moises Caicedo sometimes left Chelsea exposed defensively in certain matches. This led to tactical adjustments, with Enzo pushed forward in some big games and Romeo Lavia deployed alongside Caicedo in midfield to shore up defensive solidity.
With Santos moving on, Chelsea will miss his presence, especially given that Lavia had a period of injury disruption last season. Santos often stepped in to fill gaps when Lavia wasn’t available, contributing to the team’s balance in midfield.
Chelsea’s defensive concerns have been a talking point, as the team conceded 52 goals in 38 Premier League matches, a figure that underscored defensive vulnerabilities for a squad targeting a top-four challenge. While this issue speaks to broader defensive depth, it also highlights the importance of strengthening the backline, including interest in players such as Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace as part of ongoing plans to bolster central defense.
If Lacroix joins Stamford Bridge, he is expected to bolster the backline and help Chelsea defend more solidly in high-stakes fixtures. The departure of Santos will leave a gap in midfield that the club will aim to fill through new signings or internal reinforcements, as they seek a balance between attack and defense in the coming season.
