Andrey Santos was recalled from Nottingham Forest at the start of the January transfer window, perhaps with the hope of returning on loan – as David Datro Fofana did for example. But after a few days of training with the national team, the young midfielder left for Brazil to join the Brazilian U23 team for a pre-Olympic tournament (to prepare for the 2024 Paris Games, where Santos is expected to go, probably as captain. , even) .
That tournament takes place in early February, which would change Santos’ claim that his future will not be decided until later. After all, he can’t borrow again when the transfer window is closed! (With a few exceptions, all of which would require a foreign loan, which we currently don’t have.)
However, the 19-year-old sounds perfectly content to stay in the first team or even the development squad and bring some of them back to their pre-season spirit.
“Thank God for the last season, which was very good for Chelsea. Almost nobody expected me to arrive so quickly and adapt to big players, and I have never played in Europe. I played great games against good teams, Brighton, Newcastle. As for the conversation with Pocchettino, we would rather wait for the pre-Olympic [tournament] that will decide my situation.“
“[Metsalaina] was my choice. Unfortunately, it wasn’t what we all envisioned. I imagined I would play and so on, I was always ready, always good, but it was the coach’s choice and I respect that. I continued to work and, thank God, I am back at Chelsea and ready to give my best in whatever team I am in.
-Andreo Santos; source: Globo via Google Translate
It could also be a little overcrowded with Santos, although with our injury problems (or, more cynically, Conor Gallagher’s uncertain future), the extra option could really come in handy..
