Chelsea youngster Andrey Santos has said he’s very calm about his future, but admitted he wants to be playing next season.
Santos is one of a number of signings Chelsea have made from South America since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over in 2022.
The Brazilian midfielder is set to have an opportunity to impress on the club’s pre-season tour of America later this month before a final decision is taken over whether he will go on loan or be part of the first team squad under Enzo Maresca.
Santos wants to be playing
Chelsea agreed to sign Santos from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama in January 2023, but he spent the rest of that season on loan in Brazil before linking up with the Blues last summer.
The 20-year-old impressed in pre-season under Mauricio Pochettino, but the decision was taken to send him on loan to Nottingham Forest to gain Premier League experience.
That loan turned out to be a disaster as he made only two appearances for Forest totalling just 97 minutes, and Chelsea recalled him in January.
Santos was sent on loan to Strasbourg for the second half of the season, and after a slow start he found his feet in France and established himself as a key player in Patrick Viera’s side.
The midfielder, who is back at Chelsea in pre-season training has been discussing his future and said his biggest wish is to be at the club.
“I’m very calm about it, we talk a lot about it here at home,” he told Premier League Brazil.
“I want to be playing, my biggest wish is to be at Chelsea, of course.
“By playing, I can pave my way faster to the highest level and get to the Brazilian national team and show my potential.”
At the moment it appears there might not be much opportunity for Santos in midfield given the amount of options Chelsea currently have, but if Conor Gallagher were to leave it would likely hand Santos a bigger chance.
However, a loan to a Premier League club where he will play regularly could be the next best step for him.
