Cesare Casadei has revealed that a talk with Enzo Maresca convinced him to stay at Chelsea this summer.The Italian midfielder has yet to have any kind of major impact at Chelsea. A 2022 signing, the 21-year-old has only made 12 senior Blues appearances to date after loans to Reading and Leicester City.

Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei has heaped praise on manager Enzo Maresca before Thursday evening's Europa Conference League match against Gent. Casadei played under Maresca during his loan spell with Leicester City last season and admitted he was "happy and excited" when he knew Maresca had taken the job at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca has since acknowledged that he plans to use the former Inter Milan starlet in a more defensive-minded role than he has been accustomed to in the past. In over two years spent at Chelsea, Casadei has only accumulated 71 minutes - spread across 11 substitute outings - of Premier League football.

Cesare Casadei reveals he chose Chelsea stay after Enzo Maresca talks - Young midfielder has revealed it was his decision not to go out on loan again this season

The 21-year-old midfielder failed to make a start for Chelsea after his Leicester loan was cut-short and missed out on winning the Championship under Enzo Maresca.

With Romeo Lavia not back from injury during the early part of last week, Casadei played the full 90 minutes as the Blues thrashed Barrow in the EFL Cup third round.