Chelsea January signing faces uncertain future

Suraj Radia

• 8 Feb 2023 16:02 CST
• 2 min read

One of Chelsea’s January signings is already facing an uncertain future and could leave the club on loan just weeks after joining.

The Blues signed Vasco de Gama midfielder Andrey Santos for a reported €20 million but the 18-year-old failed to receive a work permit by just one point.

Chelsea are appealing the decision and the club are thought to be confident that Santos will be granted a work permit but they are making contingency plans if he does not.

FUTURE LEGEND: Santos following in Neymar's footsteps

Santos is currently away captaining Brazil’s under-20 side at the Copa Sudamericana and the youngster was promised that he would be part of Chelsea’s first team once he arrives at the club.

However, Chelsea will consider loaning Santos back to Brazil if their second visa application fails, with clubs playing in the Copa Libertadores the first to be offered the chance of a deal.

Reports have also suggested that Chelsea may look to hold onto Santos and allow him to settle into the squad should a suitable loan not arise but the wonderkid will be left in limbo until he is eventually granted a work permit.

Santos set for bright future at Chelsea

Santos is described as one of the brightest prospects in Brazil and Chelsea pulled off somewhat of a coup by beating their rivals to his signing.

The central midfielder has been playing in the second division of Brazil where he has scored eight times in 33 games for Vasco this season, as well as five goals in nine matches for his country’s under-20s team.

PROFILE: Everything you need to know about Chelsea's wonderkid midfielder

Santos has been touted as a player who can immediately slot into Chelsea’s first team despite his tender age and would aid the gap left in the team by the departure of Jorginho and the injury concerns surrounding N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic.

With youngsters Carney Chukwuemeka, Conor Gallagher and record signing Enzo Fernandez also hoping for a bright future at the club, Santos could be an integral part of Chelsea’s midfield for many years to come.