Chelsea raised eyebrows this month as they recalled midfielder Andrey Santos from his loan spell at Nottingham Forest. Despite the anticipation, the player struggled to secure a starting spot in the Premier League during his time at the City Ground.
According to reports from the Evening Standard, the young Brazilian will take until next week to deliberate his future – a critical decision that involves weighing the options of staying at Chelsea or seeking another loan move.
The 19-year-old isn't the only player the Blues have welcomed back this transfer window. Cesare Casadei, initially loaned to Leicester City for the season, is now back at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian's return adds to Mauricio Pochettino's midfield choices, including Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Conor Gallagher, and Carney Chukwuemeka. The imminent return of Romeo Lavia and Lesley Ugochukwu from injuries will further bolster midfield options for the Argentine manager.
However, with a crowded midfield, Santos may find limited playing opportunities at the club. Considering his minimal game time in the first half of the season, both the player, who came with an £18m price tag according to Daily Mail, and the West Londoners might be inclined to explore alternative options.
Given the circumstances, a strategic move for Chelsea could involve loaning the youngster out once again. The hope is that his next spell proves more successful than his stint at Forest, where he made just one Premier League appearance.
Furthermore, the Londoners would likely benefit from ensuring the Brazilian gets the playing time and development he needs to fulfill his potential.
source - The Chelsea Chronicle / Join us on Telegram!/ Follow us on Twitter!