Everybody associated with Chelsea and Andrey Santos would all agree that the Brazilian's first six months in England has not gone to plan.

The Blues signed the box-to-box midfielder for £16million from boyhood club Vasco do Gama last January. Santos spent the final half of last season back on loan in Brazil before returning to Cobham in June.

Despite encouraging performances in the U20 South American Championship at the start of the year, scoring six goals in eight games, Santos' development has stagnated somewhat this season.

Santos joined Premier League side Nottingham Forest on loan until the end of the season at the end of August to bolster the Reds' midfield options. However, Ibrahim Sangare and Nicolas Dominguez both arrived from PSV Eindhoven and Bologna respectively on Deadline Day.

Unfortunately for the Chelsea loanee, the double signing has impacted his minutes. The 19-year-old has featured for just 96 minutes in two appearances since joining Forest, with only seven of them coming in a 3-0 Premier League defeat to Liverpool. In their recent 3-2 defeat to West Ham, Santos was left out of the squad completely.

At the time, a temporary stint at a Premier League club managed by one of the best coaches at working with young players seemed a favourable idea. However, life hasn't treated Santos as he would have wanted and Forest face yet another fight against relegation, leaving Steve Cooper with limited space to nudge.

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Santos has a lengthy contract at Stamford Bridge, 2030, meaning his best years are still to come. But with his move to the Midlands not proving to work for either player or both clubs, a re-think of his situation may be considered in January.

Four months into the 2023/24 season and his only start came in a disappointing 1-0 Carabao Cup to Burnley. In truth, it's clear the midfielder isn't fancied at Forest and the decision has been made for him to be fourth or fifth choice.

Todd Boehly's methodology in investing millions into wonderkids means emphasis will be placed when considering the short-term futures of the youngsters ahead of the reopening of the transfer window. Chelsea were once renowned for having an army of talented players out on loan, but the strategy must be considered.

Forest have eight league games between now and January, including a midweek trip to Fulham at the start of December, with their final fixture before the new year being the visit of Manchester United. The Reds' FA Cup campaign will also kickstart at the start of January, meaning he may be handed another chance to impress.

However, should Santos continue to warm the bench at the City Ground, Chelsea could recall the Brazilian and loan him out to another club in January.