What Chelsea should do with David Datro Fofana & Andrey Santos

James Shearman

• 7 Jan 2023 17:40 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea have announced the signings of forward David Datro Fofana and midfielder Andrey Santos.

Fofana signs from Norwegian club Molde, who also produced Manchester City star Erling Haaland.

He scored 15 goals in 19 starts in 2022 as they won the Eliteserien, 18 points ahead of Bodo/Glimt in second.

MORE: Badiashile, Fofana and Santos transfers shape Chelsea's 'Vision 2030' line-up

While Santos joins the west London club from Brazilian second division club Vasco da Gama.

The holding midfielder scored an impressive eight goals in the 2022 season, helping his former side to fourth position.

Both players have travelled to west London to complete deals, and Fofana has trained with the first team already.

But what will Chelsea do with them for the remainder of the season?

What Chelsea should do with Fofana & Santos

Fofana should be given the opportunity to make a name for himself in the second half of the season.

The summer signing of ex-Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been nothing short of a disaster, Kai Havertz continues to frustrate and Armando Broja is out with a long-term injury.

Even if he is not ready, there is no harm in giving Fofana a go in the lineup when the alternatives are so mediocre.

The 20-year-old is in fine goalscoring form and that is what Chelsea are crying out for under Graham Potter.

Andrey Santos, on the other hand, is two years younger than Fofana, and is coming all the way from Brazil.

To expect him to step into the first-team environment at this stage would be asking too much of him.

The Blues could send him out on loan, but it makes more sense to put him in the youth team for now.

There, he can acclimatise to his new surroundings, learn from Chelsea's top-class coaches and play alongside talented youngsters such as Cesare Casadei.