Enzo Maresca has made an impressive start to his managerial career at Chelsea, although it hasn’t been without its challenges. Chelsea has seen considerable upheaval in recent years, with a major “fire sale” in the summer of 2023 that saw many players exit the club.
Though Todd Boehly, the club’s owner, has since stepped back from daily operations, his involvement in player transfers—both in and out—drew significant criticism.
Some, like former player Stan Collymore, expressed confusion over why more Chelsea fans weren’t more upset about Boehly’s approach to running the club.
Despite the instability that led to the quick dismissals of former managers Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, and Mauricio Pochettino, Maresca seems to have brought a sense of stability to the team.
Heading into a key Premier League match against Liverpool, Chelsea currently sits in fourth place, having only lost one game so far this season.
One issue that has emerged, however, is the lack of playing time for Cesare Casadei, a highly regarded young midfielder. Casadei has yet to play a single minute in the Premier League this season, which has sparked growing calls for him to leave Chelsea in search of more opportunities.
Carmine Nunziata, Italy’s Under-21 manager, has publicly urged Casadei to consider moving on from Chelsea if his situation doesn’t improve by January. Speaking to Rai Radio 1 Sport, Nunziata pointed out that while Casadei had a strong first half of last season on loan at Leicester City, his lack of game time since returning to Chelsea is concerning.
Nunziata suggested that Casadei should consider his options carefully and perhaps find a team in Italy where he can play more regularly.
While Nunziata acknowledged the value of gaining experience abroad, he emphasized the importance of young players getting consistent minutes on the pitch. He also pointed to the example of Mattia Zanotti, who improved significantly after a stint playing in Switzerland.
Though Maresca has praised Casadei’s talent, the midfielder’s lack of involvement in first-team matches is a potential issue that could come back to haunt the Chelsea manager.
If Casadei doesn’t secure more playing time soon, the club may face the prospect of losing a talented young player, and Maresca could find himself criticized for not integrating the youngster into the squad more effectively.
