Chelsea secured a 2-0 victory over Burnley in their away Premier League clash, with Andrey Santos notably stepping up to fill a crucial midfield role. Santos’ performance was a standout, earning him an excellent player rating of 8.3 and proving vital in maintaining Chelsea’s control throughout the match.
Santos effectively replaced the absent Caicedo, allowing the latter to rest fully ahead of important upcoming fixtures against Barcelona and Arsenal. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca praised Santos, emphasizing that the position Santos played during this match is his natural role. Maresca said, “Andrey was excellent. His position is the position he played today. With us most of the time he has been playing a little bit higher, in the pocket. In that [deeper] position we have Moi, so we try to find solutions for Andrey.”
Alongside Santos, Neto delivered a fresh and impactful performance following a two-week break during the international period. Neto contributed directly to both goals by heading in the opener from Jamie Gittens’ cross and providing a precise reverse through ball that set up Marc Guiu for the second. His efforts earned him a strong player rating of 7.9. Neto’s season continues to shine, with him ranking just behind Caicedo in the number of player rating podium finishes.
Enzo also impressed with a rating of 7.5 after returning from a knee recovery break during the international break. His contributions included scoring his fifth goal of the campaign, further boosting Chelsea’s midfield strength.
Chelsea’s lineup displayed solid depth, with Guiu coming off the bench and earning a commendable 7.3 rating for his goal. Cucurella (7.2), Gittens (6.9), Chalobah (6.8), James (6.5), and Sánchez (6.5) rounded off the good performers. Defenders Tosin, Gusto, Badiashile, João Pedro, and Delap were rated from 5.6 to 6.4, reflecting a steady defensive effort.
This match highlighted Chelsea’s tactical versatility and squad depth. Santos’ seamless adaptation to a vital midfield role reassured the team’s tactical plans while preserving key players’ fitness. The win keeps Chelsea in a strong position as they prepare for challenging fixtures in the coming weeks.
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