Andrey Santos has been playing outstanding football in recent weeks, delivering excellent performances in his new role. Chelsea’s new manager, Liam Rosenior, has given his former player and former Strasbourg midfielder a brilliant position on the pitch. The role that suits him completely brings confidence and calmness to the team. Andrey Satnos is dictating the rhythm with passes and positioning.
Since Rosenior’s appointment in January, Chelsea have achieved strong results, but it is not only the results that have changed. The Chelsea level of performance and the football they are playing specifically improved; performances and tactics are on a much, much higher level than before under Maresca.
Rosenior has introduced clear tactical innovations and modern football ideas. He has implemented his system effectively, and Chelsea now plays a completely different style compared to the beginning of the season. Chelsea is so much better now, on a much higher level. The club evaluated and is now a very respected side.
The first problem- Players Exhausted: Consequences of the Club World Cup during the summer
One of his main priorities was managing player fitness and recovery. The squad had been physically exhausted, and constant rotation last year was necessary—at times even unavoidable. The demands of the Club World Cup campaign caused significant problems for Chelsea.
In addition, during January, an illness spread through the squad and affected several players. There was very little time for proper recovery ahead of the regular season.
The new Chelsea under Liam Rosenior:
Despite limited training time between December and February — a period when teams mostly focus on recovery between matches — he has already reshaped the team’s identity. Chelsea now looks like a balanced and cohesive unit. They remain offensively gifted and continue to score many goals, but they are no longer obsessed with possession. The team plays between the lines effectively and defends collectively.
This new Chelsea has no problem defending with all eleven players in the Premier League, and also has no problem defending with 11 players against Arsenal in the EFL Cup. However, defensive instability remains a concern, especially when individual players’ mistakes are repeated by the same players.
Chelsea has avoided conceding many goals in the past few weeks, but was very lucky not to concede goals in the last few weeks. Their opponents had so many clear chances to score against them. It happened against Leeds United in the Premier League. They were not lucky.
Chelsea were fortunate against West Ham United and also against Napoli, who had two chances in stoppage time. Leeds fought their way back into the match and were very lucky against Hull City yesterday.
Andrey Santos — the metronome in midfield
Rosenior has entrusted Andrey Santos with a crucial tactical role. The Brazilian midfielder now operatesas a deep operating number six, positioned just ahead of the centre-backs. From there, he dictates the tempo of the game, especially in the early phases of build-up. Like a metronome, he controls rhythm through both short and long passes.
He is responsible for identifying gaps in the opponent’s structure and directing Chelsea’s attacking flow. Instead of the centre-backs constantly initiating attacks and carrying the ball forward, Santos now takes on that responsibility from midfield. This tactical shift has reduced the pressure on defenders such as Chalobah and Wesley Fofana, Acheampong, Badiashile, Tosin and others.
This is exactly what Chelsea is trying to avoid with these tactics with Santos. They are avoiding the ball from being in central back positions with attack construction. Chelsea had two breaks in the first part of the season against Sunderland and also Leeds in the first part of the season. The ball was constantly at the feet of the central defender, who did not transport the ball up well.
Explained by the pictures.
Fewer balls in the feet of the central defender, more in the legs of Andrey Santos, is the clear model.
Andrey Santos tactics exclude that.
Andrey Santos is dictating the tempo, making composure, directing ball positions and creating Chelsea attacks from distant positions with calm and precise passes. As a midfielder, he is perfectly suited for this role
Tactical aspects:
The geniality of this tactic lies in Andrey Santos security with passes and his position over central defenders, who are protected. They are not directly exposed and are not being attacked by the opponents. It looks well, efficient and attractive to the eye.
Also, the good side of this tactics the central back does not have to start an attack with the ball behind their feet. Andrey Santos does it for them.
Why is this tactic with Andrey Santos playing as a deeper 6 actually genius? What does it give to Chelsea?
The idea is simple but intelligent: move the primary build-up responsibility to a technically secure midfielder rather than exposing centre-backs to high pressing situations. Santos looks extremely comfortable in this role and is arguably playing the best football of his career.
Even more important is the structural protection around him. When Santos is pressed aggressively or risks losing control, Enzo Fernández drops deeper to support and prevent dangerous turnovers. This layered protection adds stability to Chelsea’s build-up phase.
The result is a more compact and organised Chelsea side that looks tactically clearer with every match. Chance conversion has improved significantly since Rosenior’s arrival, and the attacking structure is doing very well.
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