Bruno Henrique (R) of Flamengo competes for the ball with Andrey dos Santos of Vasco da Gama. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have no intention to approve Andrey Santos’ loan move despite FC Porto’s interest. It is also understood that Mauricio Pochettino will make the decision during the pre-season.
Earlier, Portuguese outlet Record claimed that the youngster would be sent on loan to Porto for the entire campaign, but Romano quashed those rumours, claiming Chelsea won’t permit his loan move.
The 19-year-old signed for Chelsea in January during Todd Boehly’s splurge but couldn’t join them due to his work permit and remained at Vasco da Gama on loan.
However, the 19-year-old subsequently received his work permit prior to the preseason after playing for the Brazilian senior team and then captaining Brazil’s Under-20 South American Championship, which resulted in winning points, after he almost missed receiving his visa through the FA’s application process.
Santos will participate with Chelsea in the pre-season tour in the USA along with other youngsters such as Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei. Following the departure of top midfielders Mason Mount, N’Golo Kante, and Mateo Kovacic, Pochettino might decide to keep them given the Blues don’t have enough midfielders currently.
However, if he manages to stay in SW6, then Santos will certainly take time to adjust to the intensity of the Premier League. A loan move to the same country, if not the same league, will be a lot wiser, where he can mature himself and get exposure to the English top flight.
Santos is a relatively young player, and if Mount had stayed with the team, the Brazilian could have served as a backup for him, relieving some of the pressure on him to perform well in every game. But the Englishman’s arrival could now actually work in his favour and if the Blues fail to bring in several more quality midfielders, he could be a second-string option next season.
However, Pochettino is the only one who can make the ultimate call; if he believes the midfielder is prepared to play in the Premier League, then it makes sense; otherwise, a loan to a Premier League team or to another club from a different league is also viable — Porto included. He can’t be wasting his formative years on the bench.
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