Chelsea starlet Andrey Santos earns maiden Brazil call-up

Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos has been called up to the Brazil national team for the first time.

The 18-year-old won the South American Under-20 Championship last month.

He scored the most goals (six) in the tournament and has been rewarded with a call-up to the senior side.

Santos is also the captain of the Brazil under-20 squad and could soon make his senior team debut.

The Selecao are without a permanent manager after Tite left following the World Cup in Qatar.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) have now put Ramon Menezes in charge for this month’s international break.

The under-20s head coach won last month’s tournament undefeated.

Brazil face Morocco on March 25 in a friendly, and Santos and some other players were invited for the first time.

The teenage sensation joined Chelsea in January from Vasco da Gama for £13 million.

However, he was unable to obtain a work permit due to post-Brexit regulations.

Santos has since returned to Vasco on loan after a temporary move to Palmeiras fell through.

The Blues wanted to include him in Graham Potter’s first-team squad but will have to wait until summer.

He is clearly worth the hype and could become a Brazil international this month.

Santos also has eyes on playing in the under-20 World Cup in May.

Chelsea have a gem on their hands, and the £13m they signed him for could be a steal.

They have struggled in front of goal this term and could do with his quality in the final third.

Unfortunately, Potter has to wait until next season to deploy Santos’ services, but he needs to keep his job first.

The Blues manager is under increasing pressure after Chelsea won just two of their last 15 games.