Leeds United: Andrey Santos a mystery after failed loan at Nottingham Forest as Chelsea talent linked to Elland Road – BBC Sport pundit
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United …
Andrey Santos’ major lack of match action has made it impossible to judge whether he would be a suitable target for Leeds United this month, according to Paul Robinson.
Journalist Ben Jacobs had linked the Whites as a possible next destination for the Brazilian talent on Caught Offside’s The Verdict on 3 January, after his return to Stamford Bridge from Nottingham Forest.
The 19-year-old midfielder had arrived at the London side last summer with high expectations but his loan switch to the City Ground was a huge disappointment as he made a single late substitute appearance in the Premier League, from a total of two outings in the first half of the campaign.
With the midfield packed under Mauricio Pochettino the youngster is expected to make a second temporary switch this season but BBC Sport pundit Robinson is in the dark over whether he would fit at Elland Road thanks to the reason he is on the move again, a lack of action to judge from.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News he said: “He’s a player that I’ve not seen much of and he’s obviously not had much game time in the Premier League this season.
“He’s out on loan for a reason, to play. And if that loan’s not working he’ll go back to his parent club.
“Whether the Leeds scouting system have got him on their radar, I don’t know.
“Because of his lack of games he’s not a player that I’m familiar with.”
Santos is an exciting prospect and looked to have a shot at remaining in the Chelsea first team during the preseason before their huge expense in recruiting Moises Caicedo from Brighton and Romeo Lavia from Southampton.
But since the Londoners are going to be all the more insistent on him getting substantial playing time wherever he goes next there is little reason to believe that Leeds United can convince them he would get it in West Yorkshire.
Daniel Farke has Ethan Ampadu, Glen Kamara and Archie Gray in his squad, all of whom have excelled this season, and while two of the three have been deployed in defence of late there is still the third summer signing, Ilia Gruev, to turn to, so Santos is surely off limits this month.
In other Leeds United news, a player the Whites want to sign has rejected interest from a transfer rival.