Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino confirms Cesare Casadei has ‘good potential’ but he must yet decide whether the 21-year-old can be a permanent part of the first team in the second part of the campaign.
Casadei, a product of Inter academy, spent the first part of the season on loan at Leicester City in the English Championship, scoring two goals in 22 league matches under compatriot Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea surprisingly decided to bring the Italian midfielder back to Stamford Bridge alongside Diego Moreira for the second part of 2023-24, as confirmed by Pochettino at a press conference on Monday.
“Yes. I think we need to assess both now. Both came back from their loans,” said the Argentinean coach as quoted by Football London.
“They have good potential, they are going to be part of the squad and then the decision will be if they are going to be every single week, every single game, part of the team.
“I think it’s good news. We were suffering too many injuries and to recover players from a loan, I think it’s good for us.”
Casadei joined the Blues in a €20m deal from Inter in 2022 and was coached by former Nerazzurri star Paul Ince while on loan at Reading last season, scoring one goal in ten appearances.
Casadei has yet to make his senior Italy debut but has collected seven appearances with the U19 squad.
His contract at Stamford Brige runs out in June 2028.