Casadei out of FA Cup squad as Chelsea await transfer ‘opportunity’ | OneFootball

Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei looks on the verge of leaving the club after coach Enzo Maresca confirmed he was not called up for their FA Cup tie against Morecambe as the Blues are waiting for an ‘opportunity’ to let him go to ‘play elsewhere’.

The former Inter youngster has ended up on the radar of several Serie A sides willing to bring him back to Italy and provide him with more playing opportunities, which he has been struggling to get at Stamford Bridge this season.

Cesare Casadei of Chelsea in action during the UEFA Conference League match between Chelsea FC and FC Noah at Stamford Bridge on November 7, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Antonio Conte’s Napoli looked particularly interested in the Italy U21 international, although they were reluctant to meet the Blues’ €15m request.

Chelsea leaves Casadei out of FA Cup squad amid exit rumours

But even if exit negotiations were said to be stalling, Casadei’s departure remains a likely prospect to the point that Maresca decided to keep him out of Chelsea’s squad for their upcoming FA Cup fixture against Morecambe.

“Cesare will not be called up. It’s more or less the same situation as Ben Chilwell. The plan is not to give them minutes if there’s an opportunity for him to go play elsewhere,” the coach said at a pre-match press conference on Friday.

FIFA U-20 World Cup – Cesare Casadei of Italy vs South Korea

The 22-year-old got his only four starts of the season in the UEFA Conference League and the EFL Cup, while he’s yet to make his first Premier League appearance.