We’ve seen Andre Santos excel for sister-club RC Strasbourg over the past few seasons – well, mostly, more accurately, heard about it, and now we get to see it for the first time in Chelsea blue too.
Santos stepped into the “Caicedo-role” and made it so that not only did we not miss our most important player, but Caicedo didn’t have to move a muscle for 90 minutes on the bench, keeping him fresh (as can be) for the upcoming Barcelona and Arsenal matches.
“Andre was excellent. His position is the same position as he played today. Most of the time with us he has been playing a little higher, in the pocket. In that (deeper) position we have Moi, so we try to find solutions for Andre. We know his position is the same as he played today.”
-Enzo Maresca; Source: Chelsea FC
Speaking of freshness, Neto looked as fresh as a daisy after his two weeks’ rest during the international break, and he immediately played a key role in both goals: heading in the first from Jamie Gittens’ excellent cross, then releasing Marc Guieu with a nice reverse through ball, which led to our second goal. If secondary assists were an official statistic, as they should be, he’d be getting one there.
It’s been a very good season so far for Neto, and only Caicedo has a higher player rating than him in podium appearances.
Like Neto, Enzo received two weeks off during the international break specifically to allow his knee to heal a bit, and he also responded positively, including scoring his team-leading fifth goal of the season.
vs. Burnley (PL, A, W 2-0)
Exceptional (8.5-9.5),
Excellent (7.5-8.4), Santos (8.3)Netto (7.9), Enzo (7.5,
Good (6.5-7.4):guiu (7.3, sub) cucurella (7.2), Gittens (6.9), Chalobah (6.8), James (6.5), Sanchez (6.5,
Average (5.5-6.4):tosin (6.4), gusto (6.2, sub), Badiyashile (6.0, sub), Joao Pedro (6.0), Dilep (5.6,
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