Andrey Santos reveals what Chelsea directors kept on doing during his loan spell at Strasbourg

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Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos has shared some details about his loan spell at Strasbourg.

Santos spent last season out on loan at Chelsea‘s sister club and had a very successful time there.

In total, the 21-year-old made 38 appearances and scored 11 goals. It was a great return for a young midfielder.

Following Dario Essugo’s injury, which is likely to leave him on the sidelines for months, Enzo Maresca will be glad that Santos has returned.

• READ MORE: Ramires is convinced 21-year-old Chelsea youngster is about to become a ‘key’ player at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea directors and scouts constantly messaged Andrey Santos

Chelsea are often criticised for loaning out players and not having a plan for them, but the Blues clearly had a strategy for Santos.

In an interview with Brazilian publication Globo, Santos revealed that Chelsea directors and scouts were in constant contact with him during his time at Strasbourg and reassured the youngster that he had a future in west London.

“In France, I received full support from Chelsea,” Santos said. “They made it clear to me that I was there just to earn minutes. Every two months, someone would come and visit us. Scouts and directors would always send messages. It was an exchange of messages that made me feel part of the project.”

His time in France has helped him to become part of Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil team. Santos started for Brazil in their recent 1-0 defeat to Bolivia and will be hoping that there are more senior caps to come.

Santos is not the only Chelsea player who has represented the five-time World Cup winners during this international break. Joao Pedro and Estevao Willian have also featured under Ancelotti.

Laurence Stewart, Paul Winstanley and the other directors at Stamford Bridge can certainly be pleased with the acquisitions of all three players.

Andrey Santos on joining Chelsea

Santos is not a starter at Chelsea yet and may find it difficult to break into Enzo Maresca‘s team.

The Brazil international currently has Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez ahead of him in the pecking order, two of the best midfielders in the Premier League. For now, though, he has no regrets about joining Chelsea.

“My choice was the right one because every player dreams of playing in Europe,” Santos explained. “Imagine, when one of the biggest clubs in the world arrives, with money to solve your life and that of your family, your children, it’s impossible to say no.”

It is a long season and the Blues are back in the Champions League. In the coming weeks, Santos should get some starts under his belt, especially if Romeo Lavia remains unavailable for selection.