Revealed: Fernandez & Zakaria signings key in Andrey Santos’ Chelsea work permit being denied for second time

Andrey Santos’ work permit has been denied for a second time which sees the new Chelsea signing likely to leave on loan.

The 18-year-old joined from Vasco da Gama last month on a long-term contract but he didn’t automatically qualify for a work permit and Chelsea were required to apply and prove why he should be granted a permit under special status exemption.

As a result, Chelsea allowed the midfielder to play at the U20 South American Championships in Colombia to strengthen his case. Santos repaid the faith and did everything he could.

Santos lifted the trophy after scoring the decisive goal in their 2-0 win over Uruguay to captain Brazil to glory. He also was the tournament’s joint-top goalscorer and picked up the Player of the Tournament award.

The teenager’s performances saw Chelsea’s confidence increase over his work permit application as they eyed including him in Graham Potter’s squad for the remainder of the season.

He flew back to England straight after the tournament in the hope of getting his application approved, however several reports have stated it’s been denied for a second time.

“Santos is still in the same place,” commented Potter on Friday afternoon. “We are looking at what the options are for him.”

Those options are likely to mean a loan switch for Santos until the end of the season, most notably to Brazil which would see him collect enough points to automatically qualify for his work permit ahead of next season.

It’s been reported by Bruno Andrade that a move to Internacional or Palmeiras is the preferred option, as things stand, while Corinthians have an outside chance.

Brazilian journalist Lucas Pedrosa has also stated one of the big factors for Santos’ work permit being denied by the panel.

He claims Santos needed to be an ‘indispensable player’ at Chelsea to secure his work permit, however this was not seen as the case due to the signings of Enzo Fernandez last month and Denis Zakaria on loan last summer.

Chelsea are likely to be extremely frustrated after learning of the setback. Now it’s over to Santos to continue his impressive form back in Brazil before he is able to play in a Blues shirt.

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