Italy talent Casadei set to get new Chelsea start: ‘It was my decision to stay here’ | OneFootball

Italy youngster Cesare Casadei is expected to get his second Chelsea start of the season in their Europa Conference League home clash against Gent as he remarked that it was his ‘decision’ to stay at Stamford Bridge to battle it out for a place in the team.

The 21-year-old has made a single appearance for the Blues this season, playing all 90 minutes in their 3-0 win over Barrow in the EFL Cup, but lack of playing time was something he was fully prepared to face after speaking with manager Enzo Maresca, and competition was exactly one of the reasons he ‘decided to stay’.

Casadei was first recalled from his loan at Leicester, where he was a starter under Maresca, last January. However, after making 11 Premier League appearances last term, all of them as a substitute, the midfielder needed to decide whether to go out on loan again to get regular starts or stay at Chelsea this summer, with Maresca playing an influential role in his pick.

Casadei: ‘Chelsea competition is one of the reasons I decided to stay’

“It was my decision [to stay at Chelsea for the 2024/25 campaign],” Casadei said in a press conference ahead of Chelsea’s game against Gent in the Europa Conference League.

“Last season was not very easy for me, so at the start of the season I was thinking about what the best solution was for me. But after I spoke to the manager, I was 100 per cent sure the decision to stay would be best for me, my career and my improvement.

“There were some possible loans but I spoke to the manager and he told me what he thinks and I had no doubts from that moment.”

The Blues’ debut match in the Conference League could mark only Casadei’s second start for Chelsea senior team, but the huge competition to get playing time is not something he seems concerned about.

“I knew it would be difficult to play, but at the same time, it would be good competition to make me stronger and improve me,” he said.

“As I said before, from the moment I decided to stay here, my goal was to become a Chelsea player and an important player for this team.

“Sometimes it can be hard [not playing at the weekend] but we are at Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world, so it’s normal there is really high competition.

“You have to fight for your place, it’s good competition, and it’s one of the reasons I decided to stay. When there is good competition, it can help you improve and make you a better player. It can be helpful for you.”

Casadei’s Chelsea debut this season, during his side’s EFL fixture against Barrow, saw Maresca field him in a deeper position in midfield, a change the youngster seems open to embrace despite initial struggles.

“Last season with Enzo, I played more as a box-to-box midfielder. This season I am training and playing as a holding midfielder and it’s good for me to learn different positions because it can help in my future career.

“I always have to be ready in every position the manager wants me to play and try to give my best.”