Italy talent Casadei ‘forcing himself’ into conversation for Chelsea starts

Italy Under-21 starlet Cesare Casadei again impressed when playing for Chelsea in the Conference League against Gent, as fans and pundits want him to get more starts.

The 21-year-old only assured this week that he has no intention of leaving Stamford Bridge on loan again, despite the relative lack of playing opportunities in an oversized squad.

He was given a rare chance today, pulling the midfield strings in the 4-2 Europa Conference League victory over KAA Gent.

Casadei more than repaid coach Enzo Maresca for the confidence, as he played for the full 90 minutes and completed 98 per cent of his passes, with only two out of 90 going astray.

There was also one key pass, one shot off target with an acrobatic bicycle kick and three interceptions.

Casadei jokes about Chelsea goal attempt

The player himself even joked about his bicycle kicks with a tweet of the image mid-air, noting “practice makes perfect.”

Fans and pundits were impressed, insisting Casadei “forces himself into the conversation for starting places” at Chelsea.

A product of the Inter youth academy, he was sold to Chelsea in 2022 for €14.86m plus another €5m in add-ons, going on loan to Reading and Leicester City.

He played only two games for the Blues this season, both 90 minutes against Barrow in the Carabao Cup and Gent in the Conference League.