Leicester City head coach, Enzo Maresca has admitted surprise over the return of Cesare Casadei to Chelsea this month.

The Blues recalled Casadei last week— six months after he was sent on loan with the Championship club.

The 21-year-old made a total of 22 appearances for Leicester, and scored two goals before his return, but it appears Maresca had no idea he was losing one of his best players mid-season.

“We were surprised Casadei went back to Chelsea,” Maresca told reporters.

“They own him so they can decide – we can’t do anything.

“We didn’t expect it but we deal with it and we see if we can do something before the transfer window closes.”

Casadei joined Chelsea from Inter Milan two summers ago, and is now expected to be involved for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, as they look to navigate the second part of the 2023-24 campaign.