Chelsea wonderkid 'overjoyed' by transfer

Cameron Smith

• 23 Jan 2024 12:01 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos has admitted that he remains confident he chose to join the right club despite a difficult start to life in England.

The Brazil U23 star signed for Chelsea last year and he was sent on loan to Nottingham Forest ahead of the 2023-24 season.

However, Santos managed just two appearances for the club and failed to make a single Premier League start during a disastrous six months at the City Ground.

Chelsea have now recalled the midfielder from his loan spell away and returned to training with the Blues senior team before jetting off to compete for Brazil U23 in the Pre-Olympic Tournament.

Ahead of Brazil’s first game, he spoke to AS and revealed how he’s found the step up to football in Europe.

What has Andrey Santos said?

“Unfortunately I didn't have the first part of the season that I wanted or that the people around me wanted,” he admitted.

“I didn't have minutes or I didn't have many minutes, but I learned a good lesson to mature more. During training he was always doing well, always well focused, always training with intensity, always evolving a lot. That's what's important.

“Now I've just returned from my loan from Nottingham Forest to Chelsea. We have preferred to wait for this situation, wait until after the Pre-Olympic to decide my future."

Santos was then asked why he decided to join Chelsea on a permanent deal in 2023.

He replied: “It's a very good project, isn't it? When talking about Chelsea, it is impossible to deny a European giant like them.

“So I was very happy when I heard that Chelsea wanted me. I didn't think twice because I have always dreamed of playing in the Premier League, and even more so for Chelsea, which has always been one of my teams.

“I was overjoyed. I left without thinking twice and I am very convinced of my decision.”