{"id":1135,"date":"2026-08-13T17:27:12","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T17:27:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1135"},"modified":"2026-08-13T17:27:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T17:27:12","slug":"rio-ferdinand-makes-andrey-santos-prediction-at-man-united-which-asks-questions-of-chelsea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1135","title":{"rendered":"Rio Ferdinand makes Andrey Santos prediction at Man United which asks questions of Chelsea"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Former Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos looks set to play a key role at Manchester United this season, and Rio Ferdinand believes the Blues are going to regret completing that sale.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The deal for Santos<\/a> to leave Stamford Bridge<\/a> has gone under the radar this summer, with him only spending one season as a first team player there.<\/p>\n

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Plenty was promised of the Brazilian during his loan spell at Strasbourg, however he was unable to break into a midfield that consisted of Enzo Fernandez<\/a>, Moises Caicedo<\/a> and Reece James.<\/p>\n

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Who\u2019s your DREAM Enzo Fernandez replacement if the Argentine leaves Chelsea? \ud83e\udd29<\/h3>\n

We want to know who and WHY?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Enzo<\/div>
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Rio Ferdinand thinks Andrey Santos will thrive at Manchester United<\/h2>\n

Santos has been a regular during United\u2019s pre-season campaign<\/a>, with Ferdinand watching his early performances closely.<\/p>\n

The United legend has stated on the club\u2019s YouTube channel<\/a> that he believes Chelsea are going to regret letting the youngster leave this summer, and has been impressed with what he has seen in pre-season.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cI think Santos, I think, will grow into a player that people will go, \u201cHow did we get him out of Chelsea?<\/p>\n

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\u201cI think he\u2019s going to have an important role to play over the next few years. And even the bits I\u2019ve seen of him so far in pre season, he just looks comfortable and just calm and two, I think, very sensible good signings.\u201d<\/p>\n

Santos has usually been partnering Mason Mount<\/a> in midfield, with the two never crossing paths during their respective tenures.<\/p>\n

However, the Englishman has suffered another injury setback, continuing with the trend of how his time has gone at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n

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What system will Xabi Alonso use the most? Where will the likes of Marco Palestra, Reece James, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers all fit?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Chelsea\u2019s midfield business not yet over<\/h2>\n

So far, Chelsea have sold Santos and brought in Jordan Henderson<\/a>, as well as Valentin Barco who can play in midfield.<\/p>\n

Neither option is expected to make a significant impact on the pitch next season, however the need to bring in another option may only be intensified if Fernandez departs.<\/p>\n

The Blues have set a 5pm deadline on Friday for Manchester City<\/a> to meet their \u00a3120m valuation to sell the player, in theory giving them enough time to sign a replacement.<\/p>\n

Alex Scott and Adam Wharton have emerged as the top targets to come in should the Blues need to move for another top midfielder.<\/p>\n

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