GRAHAM POTTER has revealed that January signing Andrey Santos still hasn’t received the green light to play for the club.
Santos, 18, signed for the Blues in a deal worth an initial £13million from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama in January but has yet to play for the Stamford Bridge outfit.
GettyAndrey Santos signed for Chelsea in January.[/caption]
ReutersSantos recently lifted the South American U20 title for Brazil[/caption]
The midfielder has been denied a work permit after missing out by just one point due to the other midfielders the Premier League side snapped up in January.
Chelsea, who signed eight players in the recent transfer window, reportedly applied for an exceptional talent visa to allow Santos to play.
But it has so far been turned down despite the teen starring at the South American U20 Championship, where he captained Brazil to the title and also finished as the joint-top scorer with six goals.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Southampton this weekend, Potter provided an update.
He said: “Andrey’s still in the same place. We’re looking at what the options are for him.”
The development has put top Brazilian clubs on alert with the Chelsea man likely to be available on loan if his work permit application gets rejected.
Santos ended his Vasco career with eight goals in 38 appearances.
The teenager was delighted to join the west London side earlier this year.
He said: “It’s a very big opportunity for me, this is a big club playing in big competitions like the Premier League, so I am very excited. The players here are so good and I am very happy to be here.”