Santos' career at Chelsea has been far from straightforward since he first agreed to join the club in January 2023. Shortly after his arrival, he returned to Vasco da Gama on a loan deal that lasted until the end of the 2023-24 season. His development then saw him move to Nottingham Forest for the 2024-25 campaign, but that stint was cut short due to a lack of game time at the City Ground. Chelsea ultimately made the decision to recall him in January 2024.
Despite missing out on Carlo Ancelotti's World Cup squad this summer, Santos remains a highly-rated prospect. His stock rose significantly during a productive loan spell at Strasbourg under Liam Rosenior, where he proved he could handle the rigours of European football. While there were high expectations for him to break into the Chelsea XI last term, he struggled for consistency under three different head coaches.