Fabrizio Romano: Chelsea want teenager to join their first team immediately

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Chelsea want January signing Andrey Santos to join their first-team ranks as soon as possible, but the young midfielder’s work permit status remains unclear, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 18-year-old is currently away on international duty with the Brazil youth side in the Sudamericano Sub-20 tournament in Colombia.

The tournament will reach its conclusion in just a few days, on 12 February, and then Chelsea will have to make a decision on how the teenager will spend the rest of the season.

Of course, ideally, Chelsea would want him to be part of Graham Potter’s first-team squad.

Speaking on The Beautiful Game podcast, Romano claims Chelsea are keen to keep the player this season and are continuously working on his work permit.

This is hardly a surprise considering how highly the Chelsea staff reportedly rate the midfield talent.

The application process is reportedly “very advanced” with Chelsea said to be “confident” about getting the UK Home Office’s approval.

Chelsea still working on Santos working permit but have prepared contingency plan

According to The Evening Standard, the Blues are currently working on a second submission to secure the former Vasco da Gama a visa to play in England.

The first attempt was reportedly unsuccessful after Santos missed out by just one point on the initial work permit application.

The report also mentions that Chelsea promised the player that he would be part of Graham Potter’s first-team squad immediately upon his arrival.

Chelsea are said to be confident that after captaining the Brazil U-20 side, Santos will have enough points for a work permit.

If these prove unsuccessful, however, the Evening Standard adds Chelsea already have a Plan B in mind, which is to send Santos back to Brazil on loan to continue his development and earn more points for a work permit.

Brazilian clubs who are playing in the Copa Libertadores — South American equivalent of the Champions League — would be the preferred options.

There are eight Brazilian sides in the competition; Palmeiras, International, Fluminense, Corinthians, Flamengo, Athletico Paranaense, Fortaleza and Atlético Mineiro.

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