This season could have easily impacted Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos in a negative way.
At first, there was reason for Andrey Santos to be optimistic.
The Brazilian joined Nottingham Forest on loan at the beginning of the campaign. At just 19 years of age, it looked like he was going to be getting regular football in the best division in the world.
However, things did not go to plan, with Santos going on to make just one top-flight appearance for Forest before having his loan spell cut short.
He has since gone on to join Chelsea‘s sister club Strasbourg on loan, and it does not look like his unproductive time at the City Ground will have a toll on him.
Andrey Santos’ attitude and mentality
One source has told journalist Simon Phillips that Santos can bounce back from practically anything.
On his Substack Si Phillips Talks Chelsea, he wrote: “People who know Santos better than me have told me that his attitude and mentality is super strong and he has a lot of belief in himself.
“This bodes well for his future and his confidence as a player. ‘He can get knocked down, but it will never keep him down’, is what one source told me.”
Will Andrey Santos be part of Mauricio Pochettino’s first team next season?
That seems unlikely with there being a possibility of the former Vasco da Gama man extending his stay at Strasbourg.
It has been reported that the French club are already considering extending the player’s loan.
With Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo at Chelsea right now, it may be what is best for Santos. He is unlikely to get many opportunities at Stamford Bridge, especially if Romeo Lavia can remain fit next term.
That is another midfield option who would likely block the Brazil international’s path into Mauricio Pochettino‘s starting XI.
Santos needs to play after that disappointing loan spell at Forest, and if that is going to happen at Strasbourg, then he may as well stay there.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
