Andrey Santos’ ‘be decisive’ Brazil moment to clinch U20 trophy hands Chelsea £18m work permit boost

Andrey Santos won the U20 South American Championship on Sunday night which could seal the deal for Chelsea to obtain his work permit.

The 18-year-old finished as the tournament’s joint-top goalscorer along with Vitor Roque of Brazil, who also scored six goals out in Colombia.

Brazil played Uruguay in the final game and needed a win to claim the title, and they did just that thanks to Santos, who joined Chelsea last month from Vasco da Gama in a deal worth up to £18 million, who netted the opening goal of the game in the 84th minute with a header at the back post.

Pedro added a second in stoppage time to secure the win and title, with Santos living up to post-game message of “in a decisive game, be decisive”.

Chelsea‘s new signing though is yet to get a work permit to be able to play for Graham Potter’s side for the remainder of the season.

They want him to be involved and have been claimed to be confident that they will be able to secure a work permit for the teenager.

The process is ‘very advanced’ and they are hoping to get over the line soon, and Santos’ triumph with Brazil could all but seal the permit as they look to get the green light on the special dispensation.

It was a tournament to remember for Santos, who captained his country, and he will now have some time to celebrate before returning to Chelsea’s Cobham training ground for duty.

Santos’s return to England is something he is looking forward to after completing his dream move to the Premier League last month.

“It’s a dream come true to play for one of the biggest clubs in Europe, a huge club like Chelsea,” he told ge.globo. “I am really happy. Everyone who is close to me knows that it was my goal when I was 18 to be in Europe, and, thank God, I was able to achieve it.”

Chelsea had a Plan B for the Brazilian if they were unable to require a work permit. He would likely be loaned back to Brazil to ensure he was available for the Blues next season, but the success in Colombia should hopefully be enough.