Chelsea’s forgotten man to be recalled after playing just SEVEN minutes all season – but transfer options limited
CHELSEA are set to recall Andrey Santos from his loan spell at Nottingham Forest.
The teenage midfielder has played just seven minutes in the Premier League since arriving at the City Ground.
GettyChelsea are set to recall Andrey Santos from his loan spell at Nottingham Forest[/caption]
Santos was loaned to Forest for the season back in August as part of the next step in his development.
Chelsea swooped to sign the 19-year-old in January before loaning him back to Vasco da Gama until the summer.
However, he has struggled to break into the team at Forest and could now return to his parent club early.
The Standard report that Santos can be recalled if he fails to play a certain number of matches.
Chelsea are said to be disappointed with his lack of opportunities and are expected to trigger the option in January.
Santos’ loan options would be limited once he returns to Chelsea, though, due to new FIFA regulations.
Clubs are now limited to only having seven players on loan overseas at once, an amount which Chelsea have already reached.
Porto are understood to be the only side open to signing Santos when the window re-opens, with no current Premier League interest.
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AlamySantos has played just seven minutes in the Premier League for Forest[/caption]
Chelsea would therefore need to recall another player before they can loan Santos to a foreign club.
Winger Diego Moreira has been tipped to return early from his spell at Lyon, but the Blues would miss out on their £2.5million loan fee if they recall him.
Santos has made just two appearances for Forest so far this term, a seven-minute cameo off the bench against Liverpool last month and the full 90 as they lost to Burnley in the Carabao Cup in August.
He has also been left out of Steve Cooper’s last two matchday squads.