Pochettino keeping close eye on little-known new signing who lit up U20 World Cup as he joins Chelsea’s pre-season squad
MAURICIO POCHETTINO is keeping tabs on a little-known new signing who has just been given the green light to link-up with them in pre-season.
Andrey Santos, 19, joined the Blues back in January for £18million.
However, the Brazilian was sent back to Vasco de Gama on loan after they failed to secure a work permit for the midfielder.
The star has recently led his nation at the U20 World Cup and now he is set to get the chance to impress his new Chelsea manager.
Santos has just been granted a US Visa to allow him to join Pochettino’s squad on their pre-season tour of America.
The Premier League club will play Wrexham, Brighton, Newcastle, Fulham and Borussia Dortmund while Stateside.
And Santos has confirmed via a social media post that he is now eligible to link-up with the Blues for the first time on the trip.
Alongside a snap of himself with an official who assisted him, he wrote: “Visa approved! “Thank you for the advice! Highly recommend.”
Now Santos will be looking to finalise his work permit for the UK in the coming weeks.
It has been widely-reported that it will be a “formality” due to recent rule changes and his achievements on the international stage, which included a first senior Brazil cap, over the past few weeks.
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And the trip to the States should provide him with the ideal opportunity to catch the eye of Poch.
Despite their bloated squad and a dismal campaign last term, the Argentine is ready to give each player a clean slate.
And journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed Santos is one man that the ex-Tottenham boss is keen to keep an eye on.
He tweeted: “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.“
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