Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has shed light on the club’s surprise recall of midfielder Andrey Santos from his loan stint at Nottingham Forest.
Santos, a highly-rated 19-year-old Brazilian, returned to Stamford Bridge earlier this week after failing to break into the Forest first team under either Steve Cooper or Nuno Espirito Santo.
In his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup clash with Preston, Pochettino emphasised the lack of playing time as the primary reason for the decision, Footballrover reports
“We decided to bring André Santos back because he was not involved in the squads at Nottingham Forest. He was not involved every week. It is good for him to come back, assess him and take the best decision for him and the team. We will see,” he stated.
This move raises questions about Chelsea’s future plans for Santos. The youngster, signed for £18 million in January 2023, possesses undeniable talent but needs regular playing time to develop.
Pochettino’s guarded language suggests that various possibilities are on the table. Another loan spell, potentially at a higher-ranked club, could be an option.
Integration into the Chelsea first team, though unlikely before the end of the season, remains a long-term possibility.
Santos’ limited opportunities at Forest are surprising.
After arriving with much fanfare, his only appearances were a Carabao Cup defeat to Burnley and a late-minute Premier League cameo against Liverpool.
With Nuno Espirito Santo preferring other options in midfield, Santos found himself frozen out at the City Ground.
Chelsea’s decision, while motivated by concerns over Santos’ development, also reflects the club’s cautious approach to squad management.
With a large and talented roster, Pochettino needs to carefully balance playing time and opportunity, ensuring every player gets a chance to contribute.
The FA Cup clash against Preston offers Chelsea a welcome distraction from these transfer speculations.
Pochettino will be expected to field a strong side for the competition, with Santos potentially earning a place on the bench as he reacclimatizes to life at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea fans will be keeping a close eye on the young Brazilian’s progress, eager to see whether he can fulfil the high expectations that surround him.
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