Chelsea’s squad underwent significant change during the January transfer window, with many believing they had actually gotten worse as a result.
The Blues lost any backup they had in multiple positions. They are currently without a deputy left-back after allowing Renato Veiga to exit the club and join Juventus on loan.
A number of other players who played key roles in the Conference League earlier this season have also left, with them having mixed fortunes at their next clubs
One of the stars of this group has surprisingly been Axel Disasi, with Villa supporters already huge fans of his.
This has led to Villa deciding they want to keep Disasi at the end of the season, and will need to negotiate with Chelsea to get a deal done.
Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images
Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images
Cesare Casadei now worth ‘significantly’ more since leaving Chelsea
There were some permanent exits from Stamford Bridge too, with one of those being Italian midfielder Cesare Casadei.
A long and drawn out saga played out, and Casadei originally chose Lazio as his next club.
However, the youngster instead joined Torino, and has finally started to get some regular football after seeing his progress stall at Stamford Bridge.
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Casadei scored his first goal for his new club recently, and it seems his performances have seen his value increase already since moving.
According to Tutto Napoli, the midfielder’s value is already way above the £12m fee Chelsea received for him in the winter transfer window.
The report continues to say that some of the biggest sides in Italy are monitoring him in an attempt to bring him in at the end of the season.
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca’s thoughts on Casadei’s departure
Casadei will have been hoping for plenty of opportunities under Enzo Maresca this season due to him being one of the players who had featured under him before his move to Stamford Bridge.
However, the Italian didn’t start a Premier League game this season, instead having to wait for the Conference League to make most of his appearances.
Maresca identifiied Casadei as ‘strong’, and utilised him in the middle of the park in cup competitions.
Despite not utilising the midfielder regularly, Maresca didn’t want Casadei to leave the club in January, and has been forced to utilise Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in nearly every game due to other injury issues.
However, Romeo Lavia is nearly back for the Blues, in what will be a massive boost for them in the final few weeks of the Premier League season.