'I could have completed Chelsea transfer exit - Enzo Maresca chat changed my mind'

Cesare Casadei has revealed that he decided not to go out on loan this season after speaking with new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.

Casadei joined Chelsea from Inter Milan as a 19-year-old in 2022 and has impressed in loan spells at Reading and Leicester in the Championship. And the midfielder was "not happy" after he was recalled by Chelsea halfway through his loan spell at Leicester last season.

However, after Maresca left the Foxes to take charge at Chelsea, he held talks with Casadei about his future and persuaded him to remain at Stamford Bridge. "Last season was not easy for me," Casadaei explained ahead of Chelsea's Europa Conference League clash against Gent.

"At the start of this season I was thinking about what was the best solution for me, but the moment I spoke to the manager I was sure that the decision to stay was the best for me and for my career.

"I never had the idea to go permanently to another club. There were some possible loans, but I spoke to the manager, he told me what he thinks. I had no doubt. I always wanted to play for Chelsea.

"I could not be more proud to play for Chelsea. Everyone understood from the first day what his idea was, how he wanted to play. It was very easy for everyone to understand what he wants. I really like how he wants to play, the way he thinks and the way he sees football.

"He's a great manager because he's able to take the best out of every one of us. He's really demanding but that’s the way it should be. Everyone knows we are at Chelsea and there are high expectations."

Casadei has made just one appearance for the Blues so far this season, playing the full 90 minutes in their 5-0 Carabao Cup win over Barrow, but the midfielder is confident he can fulfil his goal of "becoming an important part of this team".

"I knew it would be difficult to play but at the same time, it would be good competition to make me stronger and improve me," he added. "As I said before, from the moment I decided to stay here, my goal was to become a Chelsea player and an important player for this team.

"I always try to give my best, train hard every day and keep improving, all with the goal of becoming an important part of this team. Sometimes it can be hard [not playing at the weekend] but we are at Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world, so it’s normal there is really high competition."