Chelsea is considering recalling promising midfielder Andrey Santos from his loan stint at Nottingham Forest.
Despite the initial enthusiasm surrounding Santos’s arrival at Stamford Bridge, the 19-year-old has struggled to secure significant playing time, amassing merely seven minutes in the Premier League.
Nottingham Forest’s acquisition of Ibrahim Sangare and Nicolas Dominguez, sealing deals worth nearly £40m, has further marginalized Santos, with the duo dominating the midfield under manager Steve Cooper.
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Dissatisfied with Santos’s lack of opportunities, Chelsea has engaged in talks with Forest, signaling their intent to trigger the break clause in the loan agreement and bring Santos back to Chelsea in January.
Discussions are already underway regarding Santos’s potential relocation, with Chelsea exploring the possibility of sending him to sister club Strasbourg in Ligue 1.
This move, however, faces complications due to FIFA’s stringent loan regulations. Chelsea has already maxed out its quota of seven senior overseas loans, with players like Romelu Lukaku and Hakim Ziyech occupying those spots.
The precarious situation is exacerbated by the necessity to free up space for Andrey Santos. Among the current loaned players, Diego Moreira’s position is of particular concern to Chelsea.
The 19-year-old winger, signed as a free transfer from Benfica, has seen limited action with Lyon and could be recalled to accommodate Santos.
Furthermore, Chelsea expressed discontent over the playing time of another loanee, 19-year-old midfielder Charlie Webster, currently with a Dutch side in Eredivisie.
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Unlike senior players, Webster’s loan doesn’t contribute to FIFA’s restrictions, offering a potential workaround for Chelsea in navigating the challenging terrain of loan regulations.
As talks unfold, Chelsea faces critical decisions to optimize its loaned player roster and provide Santos with the playing time he needs for development.
