Casadei ‘proud’ in ‘extra large’ Chelsea team, but was unhappy under Pochettino

Italy talent Cesare Casadei admits he was ‘not too happy’ under Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea, but he didn’t consider leaving the club after talking to new coach Enzo Maresca.

Italian midfielder Casadei is proud to play for Chelsea and didn’t consider leaving the club after a chat with his new coach Maresca, under whom he had already worked at Leicester City in the first part of 2023-24.

“I was thrilled when I saw Maresca arrive at Stamford Bridge. I am not the only one who has already worked with him. Dewsbury-Hall came from Leicester. Palmer and Lavia played under him at Manchester City,” Casadei told Tuttosport on Tuesday.

“The coach was very clear from the first day, and everyone understood his ideas. Being a compatriot is handy because of the language; I can immediately understand his tactical instructions. However, I am treated the same way as anyone else. There are no privileges.”

Casadei returned to Chelsea in the 2024 January transfer window, when Chelsea surprisingly decided to bring him back after just six months at Leicester City. However, the Italian struggled for playing time under Maresca’s predecessor Pochettino.

“It was pretty hard under Pochettino because I only made a few appearances as a substitute. 11 games, but only 71 minutes on the pitch. I wasn’t too happy. Everyone would like to play more,” he admitted.

Casadei ‘proud’ in ‘extra large’ Chelsea team, but was unhappy under Pochettino

Rumours circulated last summer that he could return to Serie A on loan, but Casadei was happy to stay at Chelsea and work under Maresca again.

“After talking to the coach, I was 100% sure that staying was the best decision,” admitted the midfielder.

“Maresca told me what he thinks, and I had no doubts. I remained here without even considering potential loan deals. I don’t even think about the winter transfer window. I couldn’t be more proud to play for Chelsea, and the competition is one of the reasons why I decided to stay.

“I like the way he sees football. We are working well under his guidance. I think he is a top coach because he can get the best out of everyone. He’s exigent as you expect him to be. We are at Chelsea and we have great expectations.”

Casadei has started in EFL and Conference League matches this season, but he’s been playing in a different position in central midfield.

“Yeah, the coach has asked me to drop a little this season. Let’s say as a holding midfielder,” said the ex-Inter talent.

“When you play high up the pitch, you can take some risks too, but you can’t do that in defence as an error would be bigger. So, I do simple things for the team. I have more touches, so I have to manage them well. It’s important to cover more roles for my career. I must be ready to play in every position he wants me to play.

“I am a professional who is not affected by mistakes. All humans make them, but it’s important to react immediately. It’s about mentality and mental strength, to me this is the personality on the pitch,” he continued.

“Never give up and fight until the last breath. Be positive and always see the glass half full.

“Competition is fierce; we are so many. After all, Chelsea, are one of the best and most famous clubs in the world, so we have a high-profile team. This is challenging for the coach as well, let’s say, as he must manage an extra large team.”

Casadei’s contract at Stamford Bridge expires in June 2028 and he expects to remain at the club long term: “I want to become an important player for Chelsea and give my best, working hard in training,” he said.

The Italian talent has earned comparisons with many different central midfielders, from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to Rodri and Michael Ballack, but he had another idol as a kid.

“Kaka was my idol as a kid and I followed Milan,” he revealed.

“However, I’ve become a professional player now, and my first Serie A team was Inter, towards whom I don’t have hard feelings for my sale.”

Source: Tuttosport newspaper, Tuesday, October 8. Page 24