Fears of 21-year-old player’s development stalling at Chelsea are now starting to emerge

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Chelsea recalled several players out on loan during the January transfer window.

That includes Cesare Casadei, who spent the first half of the season at Leicester City. The midfielder was getting game time there, making 25 appearances for the Foxes.

However, the 21-year-old has returned to Chelsea, where he has only played 13 minutes of football. And now, a report from The Guardian claims that there are fears that his development could stall.

Mauricio Pochettino admitted after the Blues’ 2-2 draw with Brentford on Saturday that midfielders Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Conor Gallagher were all tired.

The Argentine, though, still failed to hand Casadei a single minute at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Fears over Cesare Casadei’s development now emerging

There must be some concerns about Casadei’s situation at Chelsea. The Italian was gaining experience in the Championship at a very good side.

Leicester are currently at the top of the table and are being led by Enzo Maresca, a man who has worked closely with Pep Guardiola.

Chelsea and Pochettino, though, thought it would be best if Casadei left the 44-year-old’s team and returned to west London.

The Blues have had a couple of injury problems in midfield, with Romeo Lavia and Lesley Ugochukwu both currently sidelined. With that in mind, you can see why Casadei was recalled.

But if Pochettino is going to choose tired midfielders over the Italy U21 international, when exactly is he going to play? He is not, unless one of Fernandez, Caicedo or Gallagher get injured it seems.

As of now, then, bringing Casadei back to Stamford Bridge feels like a bit of a waste, especially when his loan spell at the King Power Stadium was proving to be quite a productive one. For the sake of his development, hopefully the former Inter Milan youth player does get some genuine opportunities between now and the end of the season.