In Cesare Casadei, Italy and Chelsea have a gem in their hands.
The 20 year old starlet has just set the under 20 World Cup alight with some brilliant displays. Playing as a box-to-box midfielder, he registered 7 goals in 7 appearances, 1 assist, 1 penalty won, 296 passes, 80 percent pass accuracy and a host of other impressive statistics figures. He was duly awarded the golden ball as the best player in the tournament, joining an elite group of past winners in the 21st century, which include Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Paul Pogba, Javier Saviola etc.
In achieving the aforementioned, he became Italy's highest goalscorer of the under 20 World Cup, and in the process guiding them to a first ever final. He also became their record goal scorer at a single global tournament.
His brilliance at the competition does not come as a surprise to many, because he has always been a bag of talent. Little wonder Chelsea forked out £12million to sign him from Inter Milan. His upturn in form also comes at a time in which there is a new manager coming in at the bridge. Certainly he will be hoping Mauricio Pochettino has been keeping tabs on him as he returns to his parent club for pre-season.
Signed in the summer from Italian giants, Inter where he caught the eye with 18 goal contributions in 30 appearances for the Primavera, Casadei was loaned out in January to championship side Reading, in order to gain valuable experience and game time, and that seems to have helped because in the words of the man himself when asked about his time at the club he said: "I think I’ve made progress, I’ve improved in every aspect in the past year" . "Going from the youth side to the first team is a big step, it’s not easy but it makes you improve".
With the uncertain midfield situation at Chelsea, with N’golo Kante, Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic all linked with moves away from the club, it’s fair to say Casadei will fancy his chances of breaking into the first team ahead of the new season.
Style of play
Cesare Casadei has been described as the "New Ballack" or "Italian Ballack" by his admirers and Chelsea supporters.
The 6ft 1 midfielder plays with a composure and assurance that belies his young age. He is a powerful box to box midfielder, who is adept in his attacking game as he is while deployed in a more defensive holding role. His attacking style has been compared to that of Chelsea legend, Frank Lampard, although he cites current players Nicolo Barella, Federico Valverde, and Marcelo Brozovic as sources of inspiration.
He is skilled in his ability to carry the ball, as he is in his movements off it. He also has an uncanny ability to get into good goal scoring positions from midfield as he exemplified in the just concluded under-20 World Cup. The feeling from many quarters is that if he lives up to his potential, he could go on to become a big star for both club and Country.
Indeed, Casadei's performances in recent weeks indicate that Chelsea and the Azzurri are blessed with a star in their hands.
