Chelsea have been handed a massive boost for the remainder of the season as Brazilian starlet Andrey Santos is set to finally receive a work permit following his January move to the club, amid a series of fine performances at international level.
The Blues announced the capture of the Brazilian teenager at the beginning of the January transfer window, paying £12.5m for his services, but were unable to secure a work permit for the 18-year-old, with Santos falling just 1 point short of the threshold required.
However, a series of impressive performances for the Brazil U-20 side is set to change that. Santos has scored 4 goals in 4 outings thus far, and the Selecao have a real chance of lifting the South American Under-20 Championship in the coming weeks.
This would likely hand Santos enough points to be able to qualify for a work permit, and as per the Evening Standard, ‘all parties are confident Santos will soon be able to play for Chelsea’.
And, though he is unlikely to be registered for the Champions League, he is expected to feature among the first team quickly, with a pathway to senior football a key selling point for the Blues when they signed the Brazilian.
With Jorginho departing the club on deadline day and completing a move to Arsenal, Chelsea still look light in central midfield despite the arrival of Enzo Fernandez for a Premier League record fee.
Santos, therefore, could be thrust straight into action as Chelsea bid to turn their poor season around.
