Andrey Santos moves again! Chelsea send Brazilian starlet out on loan to Strasbourg after failed spell at Nottingham Forest

The 19-year-old midfielder sealed a move to west London in the summer but was eventually shipped out on loan to gain valuable first-team minutes. However, that never materialised under Steve Cooper at Forest and the Brazilian was promptly recalled in January. Santos has now completed a second move this season with Chelsea confirming his six-month loan to French side Strasbourg.

The Blues wrote in an official statement: "Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos has joined French club RC Strasbourg on loan until the end of the season. The 19-year-old spent the first half of the campaign at Nottingham Forest and will now continue his development in Ligue 1. A full international, Andrey is currently captaining Brazil Under-23s at the CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament in Venezuela. Good luck in Strasbourg, Andrey!"

The young midfielder joined Chelsea amid much fanfare in the summer, tipped to be one of Brazil's brightest prospects after his starring role in the Selecao's U20 South American Championship triumph. The signings of Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwu and Cesare Casadei denied Santos valuable game time in west London, but he was afforded just 97 minutes of football during his time at Forest. While Casadei was recalled last month and even made his Premier League debut against Liverpool on Wednesday, Santos has been deemed surplus to requirements until next season.

Strasbourg were bought by Chelsea's American owners back in June 2023 under the consortium BlueCo. The Blues have already loaned out fellow Brazilian youngster Angelo Gabriel to the Ligue 1 club until the end of the season.

Mauricio Pochettino is without Lavia and Ugochukwu due to suspected long-term injuries, but the club clearly deem it more important for Santos to get game time this season rather than play back-up at Stamford Bridge. The Brazilian will join up with Strasbourg after his nation's Pre-Olympic tournament, where they have reached the knockouts with a group game to spare.