CHELSEA are reportedly prepared to prematurely recall two on-loan players in January.
The Blues sent eight players out on loan ahead of the 2023-24 campaign in a bid to cut down Maurico Pochettino’s bloated squad.
Teenagers Diego Moreira and Andrey Santos are among the stars that have temporarily left Stamford Bridge.
However, both players are expected to return in January – six months earlier than initially planned.
According to the Standard, Moreira is set to be recalled from Lyon when the upcoming transfer window opens.
The Portugal Under-21’s international has made just three appearances since joining the Ligue 1 side, playing 75 minutes in total.
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Chelsea will likely have to pay around £2.5million to bring him back to Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, Santos is also set to return in January.
The 19-year-old Brazilian has been limited to just two appearances for Nottingham Forest since the start of the season.
Pochettino is said to be unhappy with his current situation at the City Ground.
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Chelsea can break the loan arrangement if Santos does not make a certain amount of appearances before January.
However, his loan options will be limited if he returns due to new FIFA regulations.
The Blues are expected to send both players out on loan again if they are recalled in a bid to get more first team experience.
Moreira joined Chelsea on a free transfer from Benfica in July, while Santos signed from Vasco da Gama in January but immediately returned to Brazil on loan until the end of the 2022-23 season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk