It’s the end of the January transfer window in 2025, and Enzo Maresca has rubber-stamped the permanent exit of Cesare Casadei, ending an indifferent stint at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian midfielder had joined Chelsea two and a half years before that, in the summer of 2022 from Inter Milan. Another example of Chelsea signing a young player, but failing to give them the platform.
Many young players struggle to play for Chelsea these days, given the size and bloated nature of the squad Liam Rosenior has inherited. It means the talented youngsters Chelsea sign end up failing to play.
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Casadei managed just 17 senior appearances for the Blues, going on loan to Reading and Leicester during his time in England. Eventually, the inevitable occurred, and Casadei left. He joined Torino for £12.5m.
Chelsea lost money and Casadei’s development was affected
This is a player that has been called up by Italy, and has clocked up 16 appearances for Italy’s U21 side. But there was simply no room for Casadei at Chelsea. Since then, he’s played 45 times for Torino.
This season, he has five goals in 30 games for the Serie A side. Glimpses of quality, but a rawness that might have already been ironed out of his game, had he actually been given a chance at Chelsea.
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Speaking over the weekend via FCInter1908, Torino boss Roberto D’Aversa explained why he believes Chelsea are to blame for Casadei’s inconsistency. Casadei is still young at 23, but there is room to go.
“He is a strong midfielder; he can get all the headers, but he can also play football. He needs consistency. He paid for a crucial move, to Chelsea. He didn’t play, and missed playing at a team where you can grow.”
Chelsea bought Casadei for the best part of £17m, meaning they made a £4m loss on the midfielder. This is the ugly side of Todd Boehly’s approach as Chelsea owner, stunting the growth of some real gems.
Cesare Casadei has unfinished business in the Premier League
Earlier this month, reports emerged from Italy that suggested Casadei could well be back in England. Indeed, his goals, albeit inconsistent in Serie A this season, have caught the eye of top-tier English sides.
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According to TuttoMercatoWeb, talented midfielder Casadei is a target for both Everton and West Ham ahead of the summer window. That is, of course, if West Ham manage to remain in the Premier League.
Casadei will feel he has plenty left to prove in England and a move to a mid-table Premier League side will certainly give him that chance. Whether he can ever emulate the hype around him as a teen, is unclear.
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