Why Chelsea have recalled midfielder Cesare Casadei from Leicester loan as Mauricio Pochettino makes big call - explained

Casadei is heading back to Chelsea after the Blues confirmed the midfielder has been brought back from a loan at Leicester, where he made 25 appearances and scored three goals. The 21-year-old will now start training with the Blues squad and will hope to be involved in the second half of the season for Pochettino's side.

Casadei has clearly done enough at Leicester to convince Pochettino he can play a part in Chelsea's season. The Blues are said to believe Casadei has "huge potential" and can "help the squad with immediate effect," according to Fabrizio Romano. Casadei has not yet made his senior debut for Chelsea since signing for the club from Inter in 2022. He faces a battle for minutes too, with the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Conor Gallagher and Moises Caicedo around.

Chelsea have also recalled Andrey Santos from a loan spell with Nottingham Forest and he could also get a chance in the second half of the season as Lesley Ugochukwu has joined fellow midfielder Romeo Lavia on the sidelines.

Chelsea have some big fixtures coming up and return to action in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash with Middlesbrough on Tuesday, trailing 1-0 from the first leg. The Blues then host Aston Villa in the fourth round of the FA Cup before heading to Anfield to take on Liverpool in the Premier League.