The 21-year-old was deployed in central midfield alongside Moises Caicedo as three second-half goals from Manchester City condemned us to a third consecutive top-flight defeat.

And while Santos recognised the quality of the opposition had a big hand in the outcome of the game, he still expected the Blues to do better.

‘Every single game in the Premier League is hard and Manchester City are a top team with top players, but at 0-0 we were doing well and it was frustrating to concede the first goal,’ said Santos.

‘We understand the fans are frustrated – we are frustrated too. When you talk about Chelsea, you talk about winning games, which we’re not doing. It’s a difficult moment but we have to work hard and keep going.’

It is still tightly congested towards the top end of the Premier League table and, with 18 points still to play for, there is time for more twists and turns as the season draws to a close.

Santos says he and his team-mates are optimistic that we can clinch a top-five position in the Premier League, which is required to play Champions League football next term.

‘Of course, we believe we can finish in a Champions League place,’ Santos stressed.

‘That’s why we work hard every day, to be in the top, and to be in the Champions League next season. Now we have to work harder during the week to come back from this and to win the next game.’