£17m Chelsea player admired by Gianfranco Zola has now said yes to joining European club this month

Add as preferred source on Google

One of Chelsea’s fringe players looks to have moved closer to a Stamford Bridge exit this month.

Several members of Enzo Maresca‘s squad will want to depart during the January transfer window after being overlooked by the Italian.

The likes of Cesare Casadei, Carney Chukwuemeka and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are yet to make a start in the Premier League this season. The first two have not featured in the competition at all.

It has been reported that Chukwuemeka and Dewsbury-Hall are now on West Ham’s shortlist as they look to strengthen their midfield.

• READ MORE: Leicester make enquiry about ‘physically strong’ Chelsea player as they look to re-sign him

Cesare Casadei gives approval to Torino move

While Chukwuemeka and Dewsbury-Hall look likely to stay in England, Casadei could be returning to Italy.

Chelsea signed Casadei from Inter Milan in 2022, but his move to Stamford Bridge has not quite worked out.

And now, according to the website of Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, a transfer to Torino is a real possibility after the 21-year-old gave his approval.

The website’s report says that Chelsea want €20m (£16.6m), while Torino are only offering €12m (£9.9m) presently. Clearly, then, there is some negotiating to do.

Gianfranco Zola spoke highly of Casadei in October. The Chelsea legend said: “I have high esteem of him. I saw him playing youth level. I saw him in Leicester. I really like it. He really needs to have a chance. The competition is strong in Chelsea, but strong competition makes a strong player. I hope he can make it.”

Cesare Casadei was a waste of money

As brutal as it may sound, Casadei has proven to be a waste of time and money, though through no fault of his own.

Chelsea loaned Casadei to Leicester City in the summer of 2023, where Maresca was managing at the time, only to call him back in January and not use him.

It has been the same theme this term, with the Italy U21 international not getting a sniff under his compatriot.

Chelsea paid around £12m for Casadei when they signed him from Inter and may not even get that back if they sell the youngster to Torino. Again, then, Casadei has proven to be quite a pointless signing.