Franco Di Santo is Bremen’s star man and the 26-year-old looks to finally be fulfilling the potential seen by then-Chelsea manager Avram Grant when he signed for the Blues as a teenager in 2008.
Di Santo’s natural Argentinian flair and his samba style goal celebrations have turned the goalscorer into a fan favourite at the Weserstadion.
Before his 14 strikes last season, the goals had not always flowed freely for Di Santo as we track his rise from modest Chilean club Audax Italiano to hot property in the Bundesliga and assessing what is next for the goalscorer.
Di Santo began his career like every other South American wonder kid who eventually makes the move to Europe, scoring goals, and lots of them. Making his debut for Audax Italiano in 2006, Di Santo netted 26 goals in his first full season with the club before scoring another 12 in 17 appearances the following season. During this time, Di Santo was a regular in the Argentina U20 squad, making 25 appearances at youth level for the national team.
Argentinians and fans of Audax Italiano alike knew they had something special on their hands and that soon enough, European clubs would come sniffing around their prized possession. Nobody, however, predicted that on 25 January 2008, Di Santo would make a dream move to Chelsea at only 19 years of age for £3.4 million.
Life in West London started sweetly for the young Argentinian, scoring on debut for Chelsea’s reserves. He also netted a hat-trick against Tottenham reserves and finished with 12 reserve goals in eight games. After his stunning form in the reserves, Di Santo began the 08-09 season as a member of the first team making his full Chelsea debut against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.
Following his elevation to the first team, Di Santo’s form suffered dramatically as the young striker struggled to adapt his game from reserve football to high standards of the Premier League. The goals suddenly dried up for Di Santo as he managed only eight substitute appearances in all competitions throughout the season.
Leading into the 09-10 campaign, Di Santo completed a season-long loan move to fellow Premier League club Blackburn Rovers in the hope of gaining more first team opportunities. Blackburn fans held a lot of expectation on Di Santo in the hope he could rediscover his South American goalscoring form. Making his Rovers debut on the opening game of the season against Manchester City, Di Santo made 24 appearances in all competitions, but only managed one goal against local rivals Burnley in a 3-2 win.
After another disappointing season in the top flight, Chelsea decided to cut its losses with the young Argentinian, conceding he just could not replicate his Audax Italiano goalscoring form at the top level. A £2 million move to Wigan Athletic followed as Di Santo agreed a three-year contract with the Latics as he strived to live up to his goalscoring reputation.
Once again, Di Santo’s goalscoring form in the Premier League continued to evade him as he amassed 25 league appearances, managing a solitary goal in a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Sunderland. After three full seasons in the premier league, two of which Di Santo was a regular starter, the Argentinian had only scored two goals in 55 top flight appearances. Something had to give for Di Santo and many were assuming a move back to South America was on the cards.
Deciding to stay in England for another season, Di Santo began the 11-12 season with a bang, scoring both goals in a 2-0 home win over Queens Park Rangers. With renewed confidence from his brace, Di Santo grew into a role not only as a goalscorer but also as a provider for his Wigan teammates, notching up a career best seven goals in the Premier League and contributed numerous assists.
Di Santo maintained his form and newfound role in the following season, scoring five times in the league and regularly setting up goals for his team. It was during these two seasons that Di Santo earned his three senior caps for the Argentine national team. Despite Di Santo producing his best form on English shores, he was unable to help Wigan avoid the drop to the Championship. The Latics finished the season in 18th place, five points shy of safety.
After seeking a release from his contract, Di Santo decided it was time to leave England behind in a bid to produce even better football, reminiscent of his Audax Italiano days. On 14 August 2013, Di Santo signed for current club Werder Bremen, and the rest, as they say, is history. Following a slow start adjusting to German football, Di Santo finished his first season on Weserstadion strongly with four goals in the league earning, a spot in Argentina’s 30-man 2014 World Cup squad, before unluckily missing the final cut. Di Santo’s second season with Werder saw him firmly establish himself as a top hitman as he went on his way to 14 goals in all appearances, dancing his way into the hearts of the Bremem faithful.
Looking forward, Di Santo has been heavily rumoured to be on his way out of Bremen but has recently stated his desire to stay at the club.
“Many clubs want me, but I have said … I’d rather stay with Werder,” Di Santo said.
“We are in talks and close to agreeing … to extend, and I hope Werder sees it that way.”
Di Santo can only hope that another strong season can once again put him in contention for a national team place as he competes with the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Carlos Tevez, Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero for a spot in the squad.
Finally for Bremen’s favourite Argentinian dancer, the only way is up.
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