Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has admitted that Leicester City linked Cesare Casadei will 'need time' to continue his development, as he casts an eye over the midfielder during pre-season.
The Italian midfielder has travelled with Chelsea on their pre-season tour of America, as Pochettino gets to know his new squad. Reports last weekend claimed that City are 'working on' a deal to sign Casadei on loan this summer.
The 20-year-old won both the player of the tournament award and the golden boot at the recent U20 World Cup, where he caught the eye with his performances.
He also spent the second half of last season on loan with Championship side Reading.
Before making a decision on some of his youngsters, Pochettino has opted to take a look at them in pre-season.
Casadei was among the starters in the side's 5-0 pre-season win over Wrexham on Thursday, providing an assist during the game.
After the clash, the Chelsea boss reflected on the performance, and the future development of some of the younger players included in the team, including Casadei.
"Of course, it is early," he said, via football.london . "The profile is very good, the two names and Carney (Chukwuemeka) also, and of course Casadei and Andrey (Santos). They have the profile. Only they need time. They are young.
"We cannot forget we are in Chelsea; the pressure is always to win. They need to have the place, to have time to evolve but yes, the profile is good."
One of the options to give Casadei time to develop will be to send him out on loan, where he is likely to get more game time that he would at Stamford Bridge. That, as well as Enzo Maresca's playing style, could work in City's Favour in trying to get a potential deal over the line.
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