Franco di Santo

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Franco Di Santo
Personal information
Full name Franco Matías di Santo
Date of birth April 7, 1989 (1989-04-07) (age 19)
Place of birth    Mendoza, Argentina
Height 1.94 m (6 ft 4+1⁄2 in)
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current club Chelsea
Number 27
Youth clubs
2005–2006 Godoy Cruz
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
2006–2008
2008–		 Audax Italiano
Chelsea		 62 (16)
00 0(0)   
National team
2006– Argentina U-20 06 0(1)

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only.
* Appearances (Goals)

Franco Matías di Santo (born April 7, 1989 in Mendoza, Mendoza Province) is an Argentine professional football player who plays as a striker for the reserve team of Chelsea. A transfer from Audax Italiano to Chelsea was confirmed on January 25, 2008 when he signed a 4 and a half year contract. [1] He has been seen wearing the training number 27 but his official squad number has yet to be confirmed as Israeli striker Ben Sahar currently wears the 27. Di Santo spoke of his excitement at having joined Chelsea and his eagerness to prove himself, as Franco holds an Italian passport he was immediately eligible to become part of their team.

Little is known among Blues fans about the 19-year-old, who signed on January 25. The striker chose to introduce himself as 'a centre forward that moves around a lot. "'Sometimes I'll be out wide, but through the middle is best for me to score as many goals as possible'" 'I like to think I can be a similar sort of player to Hernán Crespo,' he added.

I've been playing for a team there called Audax Italiano. My last season went well for me thankfully, and hopefully now that'll be the same here at Chelsea. 'I want to do as well as I can and respond by scoring goals, to start with in the reserves and hopefully soon I'll be playing with all the big names here at Chelsea.'

The club's official site confirmed that he has joined the reserve squad and so ideas that he would immediately be in contention for a first team place appear to have been unfounded.[2]

Di Santo scored on his debut for Chelsea reserves on 11 February 2008, Getting a late equalizer in a 2-2 draw with Fulham Reserves. He wore the number '9' shirt during the game. Di Santo scored his second goal in as many appearances for the reserves team, against Reading F.C. reserves on 3rd March, 2008. On the 14th of April 2008, he scored his first hat-trick for Chelsea against Tottenham reserves; the most notable of the three goals being a volley from a Branislav Ivanovic cross that found the top left corner. In the last reserve match of the season, Di Santo scored his seventh goal in eight reserve games against Aston Villa. Franco Di Santo finished his 2007-08 Reserve Season on a high scoring 7 goals in 8 Reserve games, and provided several assists.

Contents

[edit] International career

Franco Di Santo scored his first goal for the Argentina U-20 team while playing against France in 2006. He was also in the squad for the FIFA U-20 World Cup which was played in Canada in 2007 which saw Argentina defeat Czech Republic 2-1 to win the World Cup. He also scored a goal in the tournament.The Captain for the Argentina U-20 side is Sergio Aguero who plays for Atletico Madrid. Argentina U-20 heard coach Sergio Batista described Franco Di Santo as a pacy and quick played in terms of Dribbling and ball control. He also compared him to the former Argentina U-20 player Lionel Messi. He joined the Argentina U-20 team in 2006.

[edit] Club career statistics

(correct as of 30 March 2008)
Club Season League Cup Europe Total
Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists
Audax Italiano 2006-07 65 16 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 10 3
Total 15 10 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 10 3
Chelsea 2007–08 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career Total 65 16 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 10 3

[edit] Honours

Country:

[edit] References

  1. ^ di Santo Signs. Chelsea FC. Retrieved on 2008-01-25.
  2. ^ Reserve profiles. Chelsea FC. Retrieved on 2008-02-05.

[edit] External links