“He will be part of the first team” – Pochettino’s final squad coming together with season just over a week away

We heard earlier today from Nathan Gissing that a decision had been made on the future of two of Chelsea’s midfield prospects, and that information is already being backed up by quotes from Italy.

The decision seems to be that Cesare Casadei will be the one to go on loan, while Andrey Santos stays in the first team squad. Huge support has been given to that idea by quotes from Morgan De Sanctis, the sporting director at Salernitana.

He revealed in quotes picked up today by Simon Phillips that his club had expressed interest in Brazil international Santos, only to be rebuffed by Chelsea who have “decided that he will be part of the first team.”

It’s a decision that makes sense, and not just because the youngster has been given a work permit to play in England. He looks a little more polished than Casadei, and certainly has a skillset which fits what we’re missing a little better.