Cesare Casadei, the 21-year-old Chelsea midfielder, may be struggling for playing time at his club, but he’s making waves with the Italy Under-21 team. In a crucial match against Ireland at the Nereo Rocco Stadium in Trieste, Casadei proved to be the difference-maker, scoring a goal that secured Italy’s qualification for the final phase of the European Under-21 Championship.
Calciomercaro report how the young midfielder’s performance caught the attention of a special spectator – Italy’s senior national team coach Luciano Spalletti. In a post-match interview, Spalletti had high praise for Casadei, suggesting that the player could soon be ready for the senior squad.
Casadei’s goal came in the 23rd minute when Wilfried Gnonto delivered a low cross from the right side of the penalty area. The Chelsea player controlled the ball near the penalty spot, set himself up on his left foot, and struck a low, angled shot into the right corner of the net.
Spalletti, impressed by what he saw, commented on Casadei’s potential: “He’s gone through a period where he played little, but now he’s found his rhythm. He has good physical structure and stamina. He’s a player who could become ready in a short time.”
Despite his success with the national youth team, Casadei’s situation at Chelsea remains challenging. Since returning from a loan spell at Leicester City, he has seen limited action under manager Enzo Maresca. This season, Casadei has yet to make his Premier League debut, with his only appearances coming in the Conference League and EFL Cup, totaling less than 200 minutes of play.
The lack of playing time has reignited transfer speculation, with Italian clubs Napoli, Milan, and Juventus reportedly showing interest. However, Casadei recently dismissed these rumors in an interview, stating his commitment to Chelsea and his decision to stay and fight for his place.
As the January transfer window approaches, Casadei’s situation will be closely monitored. If his playing time doesn’t increase, the young midfielder may need to reconsider his options to continue his development and potentially earn a spot in the senior Italian national team.
