‘Wonderful’ player is about to leave Chelsea on loan with move set to be confirmed

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There’s been a lot of focus at Chelsea recently on all the incomings in a busy summer transfer window, but one player will reportedly exit Stamford Bridge on Friday.

Chelsea have been extremely active adding to their squad in the last month. Blues signings Filip Jorgensen and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall became the latest players to make debuts for the club, featuring in Thursday’s 3-0 pre-season win over Club America.

There’s still been a few departures from Stamford Bridge this summer, with the club selling Omari Hutchinson, Lewis Hall and Ian Maatsen so far. Speaking via talkSPORT in June, Gabriel Agbonlahor said Chelsea may regret Maatsen’s sale, suggesting he could become better than both Blues left-backs Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella in time.

The latest claims in the transfer rumour mill say that Chelsea could be about to send a young player out on loan. Andrey Santos, who’s been on the club’s pre-season tour this summer, is about to sign for a new club.

• READ MORE: Andrey Santos shares the recent advice he received from Patrick Vieira

Andrey Santos will leave Chelsea on Friday

Respected journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed via X that Chelsea’s Santos will join French club Strasbourg on Friday (today).

The 20-year-old Blues midfielder spent the second half of last season in Ligue 1 with Strasbourg, so he’ll be returning to familiar surroundings for the 2024/25 campaign.

Romano wrote on X: “Andrey Santos will be announced as new signing for Strasbourg on Friday. Loan move from Chelsea, confirmed.”

Is this a good transfer?

First of all, Santos needs to be playing football to continue his development and reach his potential. The Brazilian central midfielder could be a future star with the talent he has on and off the ball.

It felt like there was a potential path for him into Chelsea’s first team after being included on the pre-season trip to the United States, but he’s leaving halfway through it to join Strasbourg on loan.

When you look around at the Blues midfield, it’s pretty stacked and competition for places is tough. Santos can pretty much guarantee himself regular minutes at Strasbourg compared to a season competing against the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.

Let’s hope that Santos’ future still lies with Chelsea and this is just another stepping stone in his development. It’s worth remembering that Blues cult hero Thiago Silva tipped Santos for a “wonderful future” earlier in the year, so this next loan deal could just be part of the journey.