According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are convinced they have signed a gem in the January transfer window, with the arrival of Brazilian youngster Andrey Santos from Vasco da Gama.
Andrey Santos Joins Chelsea
Chelsea Excited by Arrival of Santos
Chelsea have made a strong statement in the transfer market with the signing of 18-year-old Santos on January 6 for £11 million. He has already made a name for himself in the football world with his excellent form at the South American Youth Football Championship, where he has scored 4 goals in 4 games.
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The young midfielder has shown incredible promise, and his performances have caught the eye of some of Europe’s top clubs. However, Chelsea have secured the young talent, identifying him as a vital part of the club’s future.
Santos started his football career with the Brazilian team Vasco da Gama, where he made 38 league appearances and scored 8 goals. Despite his young age, he has already shown his ability, which has reportedly left Chelsea fans convinced they’ve discovered a “special” player.
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Andrey Santos Relishing Big Opportunity
The Brazilian Youngster was Chelsea’s third January arrival, following the signings of Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile and David Datro Fofana from Molde.
The 18-year-old is excited by the prospect of testing himself in the Premier League. “It’s a very big opportunity for me. This is a big club playing in big competitions like the Premier League, so I am very excited. The players here are so good and I am very happy to be here.”
Santos is at his best when carrying the ball, using his big frame to cover plenty of ground and providing vital work rate for his team. He is also adept at keeping the play moving, often keeps things simple and is very much a team player. He is effective as a central midfielder and in a more defensive midfield role.
Visa Troubles
Santos has yet to obtain a work permit for him to play in England. It’s a difficult process as he’s never played in a European team in his career. Chelsea continue to work on resolving the visa situation for the Brazilian. The report from UOL states that Chelsea will need to ask for an exception if the youngster fails to qualify for a work permit. With only 38 league appearances for Vasco, obtaining a work permit could prove problematic for Chelsea. The box-to-box midfielder is the captain of the Brazil Under-20 side and has clearly shown his ability already, and it will be fascinating to see how he adapts to life in England.
