Cesare Casadei made his first appearance of the season for Chelsea against Barrow(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)

Chelsea star issues January transfer update after only making two appearances under Enzo Maresca

Cesare Casadei has been limited to two appearances for Chelsea under Enzo Maresca so far this season

08 Oct 2024, 14:00 by Rob Guest · football.london

Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei has indicated that he is not thinking about departing Chelsea on loan in January despite limited appearances under Enzo Maresca so far. Working under the Italian last season at Leicester City during the first part of the campaign, the pair were reunited in the summer after the 44-year-old replaced Mauricio Pochettino in the Blues hotseat.

Casadei was linked with a temporary exit from west London in the summer but a move never came to fruition prior to the transfer deadline. Due to the size of the playing squad available to Maresca, Casadei has had to contend with minutes here and there so far this season.

The 21-year-old's first appearance of the term came in the 5-0 win over League Two side Barrow in the Carabao Cup, with the player then getting another 90 minutes in last week's Europa Conference League win over Gent. Casadei is yet to make a Premier League appearance this season, with the highly-rated youngster named on the bench for September's games against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.

Now heading off on Italy Under-21 duty, Casadei spoke with Italian publication Tuttosport about working with Maresca and the transfer speculation that surrounded his Chelsea future in the summer.

“When I saw Maresca arrive at Stamford Bridge in the summer I was excited," he explained (as reported by Calciomercato via Sport Witness). "We already knew each other because he was my coach in the first six months of last season at Leicester City.”

On the transfer speculation, which included links with some of Italy's biggest teams, he said: “The transfer rumours about Napoli, Milan and even Juve? After speaking to the coach, I was 100% sure that the decision to stay would be the best.

"Maresca told me what he thought, I had no doubts. I stayed here without considering possible loans. Nor do I think so at the moment for the next winter transfer market.

"I couldn’t be more proud to play for Chelsea. The competitive spirit was one of the reasons why I decided not to leave."

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