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Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino receives welcome news over £16m wonderkid
Mauricio Pochettino will be given a massive boost heading into his first pre-season as Chelsea manager.
Chelsea wonderkid Andrey Santos has had his US visa approved meaning he can join the Blues on their pre-season tour across the pond. The 19-year-old was denied a UK Visa after completing his £16million move to Stamford Bridge in January and it remains unclear whether he will be granted the right to work in the United Kingdom.
Santos missed out by one point on the FA’s application system. But he has since picked up many of those points by making his full international debut for Brazil, playing in the Brazilian top flight and captaining his national team to the Under-20 South American Championship.
When Santos joined he was regarded as a first-team signing and is keen to be involved with the set-up next season. The central midfielder is currently out on loan at the club Chelsea bought him from, Vasco da Gama, who were recently promoted to the first tier of Brazilian football.
Santos had played for the club since the age of 7 and made his first team debut at just 16 years old.
Andrey Santos here with his US visa — it has been approved and will allow him to take part in pre-season with Chelsea. ������������������ #CFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 15, 2023
Pochettino wants to follow him closely as could be part of the first team next season. Not guaranteed yet but he will be ‘tested’ in pre-season. pic.twitter.com/VTtiHlxRZH
Speaking to NetVasco about his Visa situation back in March, he said: “I knew I had some chances of not playing. I was confident, but unfortunately, I didn’t make it.
"Head in place and life goes on to be there again in July. To tell you the truth, I don’t know what I need. As far as I know, I need to play in Serie A and I need to go to the U20 World Cup. I’m pretty calm. I’m doing my best at my club to achieve my goals.”
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Santos may even be suited to combining with Enzo Fernandez in a versatile partnership with the ability to both sit back defend or surge forward and attack down the middle.
"I feel free to play in both positions," he added. "Since the base, I've been playing as first and second defensive midfielder. At first, there is a difference, that I am a little further away from the goal.
"But secondly, I'm happy to be closer to the goal, as I like to score goals. So it's important to play as a second wheel so you can step on the area."