Sassuolo manager Roberto De Zerbi does not think winger Jeremie Boga is ready to make his return to Chelsea, despite the Blues having an option to re-sign the Ivorian international.

The London club sold the 23-year-old to the Serie A side for £2.5m last summer but inserted a buyback clause which means they can re-sign him for €15m (£13m).

Reports have suggested that Chelsea are considering the idea after Boga scored eight goals and provided four assists in 25 appearances for Sassuolo this season. However, De Zerbi says he doesn’t believe he is good enough to play for Frank Lampard’s side or another Premier League club like Manchester United:

“He’s scored 8 goals, he should end every season with [at least] 14-15. In football, there are also bad goals (as an opportunist) but he only makes beautiful goals. For this he would need to stay still at Sassuolo, to then become a player for Chelsea, for Manchester United [or for] Juventus.”

There could be some kidology in play here with Sassuolo knowing they have secured a gem and trying to stop Chelsea from triggering their buyback option.

Boga is certainly a talent, and while he could perhaps benefit from another season in Italy, his development could well be better served by moving back to Stamford Bridge.