The full-back’s rampaging runs forward, sound technique and tactical know-how convinced former coach Jose Mourinho to hand him his debut against Panathinaikos and he has rarely let his coaches down when called upon since. The Portuguese coach is not always generous when it comes to individual praise, but he certainly seems to rate Santon, who left Inter for Newcastle in 2011. And Mourinho is not his only admirer.
"He reminds me of Paolo Maldini when he was young”, remarked Italy coach Marcello Lippi. Praise indeed.
