Mario Pasalic will not return to Chelsea midway through loan spell, agent confirms

Mario Pasalic's agent Federico Pastorello spoke exclusively to IBTimes UK and made it "absolutely" clear that his client will not be rejoining Chelsea after failing to break into the AC Milan first-team thus far this campaign. The Croatian midfielder joined the Serie A giants on a season-long loan and will remain with them at least until next summer before he returns to Stamford Bridge.

According to Italian publication Calcio Mercato, Milan were planning to cut short the loan deal for the midfielder despite paying a £1m ($1.3m) fee to take him to the San Siro during the latter stages of this summer's transfer window. Vincenzo Montella has a number of midfielders at his disposal for a limited number of positions and Pasalic is said to be behind Suso, Jose Sosa, Juraj Kucka, Riccardo Montolivo, Giacomo Bonaventura and Andrea Poli in the pecking order when it comes to a place in the first-team squad.

The Croatia international's agent, however, has dismissed suggestions of a return to England at the moment and believes it is only a matter of time before he gets his chance in the Serie A. The 21-year-old midfielder is returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a back injury and is likely to be eased back into action to avoid a setback.

"It is absolutely not in the plan at the moment. The championship started only one month ago and Mario reached the team only at the end of August, after a very long injury," Pastorello told IBTimes UK.

"So he just need time to adapt at the new manager's tactical scheme and all will be fine," the on-loan Chelsea midfielder's representative added.

Pasalic joined Chelsea from Hadjuk Split in his homeland in 2014, but is yet to make an appearance for the Blues having spent the last two seasons on loan with La Liga side Elche during the 2014/15 campaign and last season with AS Monaco in Ligue 1.