Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino believes that Cesare Casadei can make a first-team impact after returning from his loan spell at Leicester City.
The Blues have spent massively under Todd Boehly and don’t have all that much to show for it – yet.
Chelsea have focused on signing young players with big potential and Italian midfielder Cesare Casadei certainly fits that mould.
Casadei joined Chelsea from Inter Milan in the summer of 2022, with the Blues paying £12.6million rising to £16.8million.
That was a hefty price tag for Casadei, who never made a first-team appearance for Inter but had shown huge potential with Italy at youth level.
Casadei spent the second half of last season on loan at Reading and the first half of this term with promotion-chasing Leicester City, but now finds himself back at Stamford Bridge.
Mauricio Pochettino comments on Chelsea talent Cesare Casadei
Casadei’s loan at Leicester was a mixed one; he only managed eight league starts and another 14 appearances as a substitute.
The 21-year-old scored two goals in his final six appearances for the Foxes but found it difficult to nail down a starting role.
Chelsea have now recalled Casadei and boss Mauricio Pochettino seems keen to keep him in West London.
Speaking to Football London ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final clash with Middlesbrough, Pochettino suggested that Casadei’s time at Leicester was ‘fantastic’.
Pochettino admitted that it hurt to send Casadei out on loan in the first place, as he worked so hard during pre-season.
Now back with Chelsea, Pochettino feels that Casadei can make an impact and contribute to the Chelsea cause despite being in and out at Leicester.
“I think it was fantastic. He was doing really well. In the pre-season, he worked really, really well and he was one of the players we suffered a little bit to allow him to go. I hope he can help,” said Pochettino.
“Tomorrow is not possible because he played with Leicester in the Carabao Cup and in the FA Cup also, so he’s not available on Friday, too, but yes in the Premier League, maybe he can be involved and be part of the squad,” he added.
Casadei has time on his side but has only played 40 games of senior football at the age of 21.
The Italian needs to start showing his potential, whether it’s with Chelsea or on loan somewhere else.
Chelsea paid a decent fee for the midfielder and Pochettino may now give him the chance to shine at first-team level.
The Blues certainly need to see some encouraging signs from Casadei in 2024 as they look for returns on their investment of nearly £17million.
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