Chelsea star Cesare Casadei has been urged to leave Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window after being left out in the cold by the club.
The Italian midfielder has been with Chelsea since 2022, following a €15 million (£12.4 million) move from Inter Milan, but his opportunities in the first team have been limited. Casadei, now 21, has made just 13 appearances for the Blues, and there were hopes he would get more chances under his fellow Italian and former Leicester City manager, Enzo Maresca.
However, Casadei has only featured twice this season, and not at all in the Premier League. Italy under-21 coach Carmine Nunziata has now suggested that a move away from Chelsea in January could benefit the youngster.
“Last year, Cesare had a good first half with Leicester, but then he returned to Chelsea and played very little,” Nunziata told Rai Radio 1 Sport. “This year, they kept him, but I advised him to see how things go until January. Otherwise, it’s right to look for another solution. The important thing is that the boys play. If they find a team in Italy, even better, but playing abroad is also a formative experience.”
Casadei has already had two loan spells during his time at Chelsea. In 2023, he joined Championship side Reading, making 15 appearances, and later returned to the Championship with promotion-winning Leicester to play under Maresca. However, he was recalled by Chelsea midway through the season.
Casadei explained that his decision to stay at Chelsea this season was influenced by the opportunity to work with Maresca again. “At the start of this season, I was thinking about what was best for me, but after speaking to the manager, I was sure staying was the right choice,” he said. “I always wanted to play for Chelsea. There were some possible loan offers, but I had no doubt after our conversation. I’m proud to be at this club.”
Casadei praised Maresca for his vision and management style, saying, “He’s a great manager because he knows how to get the best out of every one of us. He’s demanding, but that’s the way it should be at a club like Chelsea, where there are always high expectations.”