**Chelsea had a number of difficult decisions to make during the recent winter transfer window in regards to their bloated first team squad.**
It was clear that some players the club had paid big money to sign were simply not getting enough opportunities under Enzo Maresca, and were best off looking elsewhere for regular first team minutes.
Joao Felix and Renato Veiga were only signed in the summer, but after just six months found themselves pushing for moves to AC Milan and Juventus respectively.
While the Blues announced just one permanent signing in the form of Mathis Amougou, there were very few permanent departures to speak of either.
One of those was Cesare Casadei, who had struggled to earn any real meaningful minutes under either Mauricio Pochettino or Maresca.
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The Italian had been a main stay in the Conference League group stages, although was sent off in one of Chelsea’s games.
A saga broke out across Italy as a handful of clubs pushed to sign the youngster, with it originally believed that Casadei had chosen to join Lazio.
However, he ended up at Torino, and by all accounts has hit the ground running at his new club.
It seems the higher ups at the Serie A side are also thrilled with what they have seen so far from the former Chelsea man. Torino director Davide Vagnati has stated that he has been pleasantly suprised with what he has seen from the midfielder so far.
He said: “I do my job, like others do theirs. Everyone has their own needs. I did everything possible, as did the president, to bring him here. Cesare is a very important player, he is also stronger than I thought, he is a perspective player and we are very happy that he has decided to come to Turin”.
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Casadei has found the net since joining his new club, a feat he never managed while at Stamford Bridge.
Cesare Casadei Torino stats
Total
Games
7
Goals
1
Assists
1
Positions in midfield have been hard to come by at Chelsea this season due to the brilliance of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, with Romeo Lavia also a shoe in for minutes when he is fit.
However, it was clear that Maresca was a big fan of the player, who he frequently praised after taking part in Conference League action.
Maresca never wanted Casadei to leave the club, however will be able to accept the appropriate first team minutes were not on the table for him in West London.