Chelsea fans may soon see a familiar face stepping up on the European stage, as head coach Enzo Maresca has revealed that Cesare Casadei is in line for regular appearances in the Europa Conference League. With injuries piling up and a lack of offers in the summer, Casadei is back in the mix and ready to prove his worth.
After being sidelined from Chelsea’s senior squad during the summer, it looked like Casadei’s future was elsewhere. But with no suitable offers on the table, the Italy Under-21 international found himself reintegrated into the team. A solid performance in the EFL Cup against Barrow, where he played the full 90 minutes, has put him in contention for a bigger role moving forward.
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Maresca, who worked with Casadei during his time at Leicester, hinted that the young midfielder will be given opportunities to impress in an unfamiliar defensive-midfield role.
“I think Cesare did very well in that game (Barrow),” Maresca said in a press conference. “He struggled at the beginning, but at the end, he finished very well. We can see Cesare there again, for sure.”
It’s clear that Maresca believes Casadei has more to offer than just his usual box-to-box style. “Give balance to the team, stay in that position and don’t move from there. Help your teammates in the build-up, help your teammates when you need to defend. I think he can do that,” the Italian coach added, showing confidence in the youngster’s versatility.
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A long-awaited breakthrough for Cesare Casadei
For a player who cost Chelsea €20 million ($22m) back in 2022, Casadei is in desperate need of regular minutes. While the Premier League might still be out of reach, the Europa Conference League provides a perfect platform for the former Inter Milan starlet to make his mark.
Chelsea fans, it's time to watch out for this rising star – he could be the key to unlocking the Blues' European campaign!
Casadei may not have much Premier League experience, but with 21 starts and 16 substitute appearances across his stints at Reading and Leicester in the Championship, he’s no stranger to competitive football.
