Misfit becomes “very popular” Villarreal target ahead of January transfer window

Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei has been advised to consider leaving the club in January and it has emerged he has a new option to mull along with two routes back to Italy, according to reports.

Casadei has only played in cup competitions for Chelsea this season after returning from last season’s loan spell at Leicester City. Although he worked with Enzo Maresca during his loan spell, he did not receive much attention from his compatriot and Chelsea manager.

Casadei scored for Italy’s under-21s during the international break and his manager, Carmine Nunziata, has recommended that the midfielder consider leaving Chelsea if his situation does not improve by the time the next transfer window opens.

Fortunately for Casadei, clubs are still interested in him. According to Tuttomercatowebthe 21-year-old has become a “very popular” target for LaLiga side Villarreal.

Marcelino’s team is now considering a move for Casadei, but the report does not say whether this would be a loan or a permanent transfer.

However, it is reiterated that Casadei moved his agency to the Epic Sports group last month, the same group that helped Ian Maatsen, Conor Gallagher and Romelu Lukaku be sold by Chelsea in the summer.

In addition to Villarreal, Casadei was the subject of interest from Atalanta and Fiorentina in the summer in his native Italy. It is suggested that either of these two suitors reconsider their interest in the former Inter Milan academy talent.

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Casadei remains under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2028, having joined the club in August 2022.

So far, he has made just 13 appearances for Chelsea, fewer than during loan spells at Reading (15) and Leicester (25).

Reports over a month ago suggested Maresca was freezing him out, but since then Casadei has completed 90-minute cameos against Barrow in the Carabao Cup and Gent in the UEFA Conference League.

His continued absence from Premier League squads, however, is contributing to the ongoing question marks over his long-term future at Chelsea.

In the midfielder position, Maresca has already given more appearances to Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Romeo Lavia this season.

Midfielders like Gallagher and Lesley Ugochukwu have made their way this summer, whether permanently or on loan, and perhaps Casadei could be one of the next victims.

His position on the move to Spain is not yet known, although in the summer it was believed that a return to Italy would be the best outcome for his development.

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Meanwhile, TEAMtalk sources have revealed that Chelsea are in the race to sign AZ left-back David Moller Wolfe. However, they face competition for the 22-year-old.

This speculation comes amid doubts over Ben Chilwell’s future at Chelsea, who was linked with a string of suitors in January after missing out on a summer exit.

And at the opposite wing-back position, there were warnings that Real Madrid could be in for one of Chelsea’s top young prospects.

However, an even more important player Man City are looking at isn’t going anywhere.

Casadei’s turbulent timeline at Chelsea

• August 19, 2022: After several proposals, Chelsea reached a 15 million euro deal to buy Casadei from Inter, where he has yet to make his first-team debut.
• August 31, 2022: Casadei makes his debut for Chelsea Under-21s in the EFL Trophy, but receives a red card.
• September 4, 2022: Casadei scores on his Premier League 2 debut.
• January 30, 2023: Five months after his arrival, Chelsea sent Casadei on loan to Reading in the Championship.
• February 4, 2023: Casadei makes his professional debut for Reading.
• May 4, 2023: Reading’s relegation to League One is confirmed ahead of Casadei’s return to Chelsea.
• August 15, 2023: Casadei is loaned out again, this time to Leicester in the Championship.
• January 19, 2024: To Maresca’s surprise, Chelsea recalled Casadei from his loan spell at Leicester.
• January 31, 2024: Casadei comes on as a substitute to make his Chelsea and Premier League debut.
• September 2, 2024: After not taking part in pre-season and missing out on leaving Chelsea in the summer, Casadei changes agent.