Chelsea learn HONEST reason why Andrey Santos isn't playing at Nottingham Forest
Cameron Smith
- 1 Dec 2023 12:41 CST
- 3 min read
Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has admitted that Andrey Santos has not been given a chance at the club because “he isn’t our player, he’s Chelsea’s.”
Santos, 19, joined Chelsea from Vasco da Gama for €12.5 million in January and spent the second half of last season back on loan with the Brazilian club.
Upon joining up with the west London club this summer, the midfielder was given a chance to impress in pre-season, but Mauricio Pochettino felt it was best for him to develop his talents on loan.
Porto and Lyon were reportedly both interested, but Chelsea opted to send Santos on loan to Nottingham Forest in order to experience Premier League football.
However, Cooper’s side signed both Nicolas Dominguez and Ibrahim Sangare on Transfer Deadline Day to push Santos right down the pecking order.
That decision has ensured Santos has featured for just seven minutes in the English top flight this campaign, while his only other appearance came in the 1-0 Carabao Cup loss to Burnley. The Brazilian started that game and played the full 90 minutes.
But, he has been omitted from the matchday squad for the past two league matches and Cooper has revealed that his lack of game time stems from the fact he is on loan at the club, and therefore isn’t a Nottingham Forest player.
He told the media ahead of their clash against Everton on Saturday: “The context to it is he isn't our player, he is Chelsea's.”
Santos to be recalled by Chelsea
Cooper’s comments come after it was reported by The Athletic that Chelsea plan on recalling Santos during the January transfer window.
The Athletic revealed that Chelsea “can end Santos’ loan early by activating a break clause in the deal with Forest, who also incur mutually agreed financial penalties for not playing him when he is fit.
“Strasbourg, owned by the same group as Chelsea, hold an interest in taking Santos for the second half of the season but the Premier League club would need to end one of their current seven international loans in order to send the 19-year-old abroad.
“Forest have not been officially notified by Chelsea about any intention to recall Santos, but are aware his opportunities have been limited since his arrival in August.”
