Chelsea Eye Hellas Verona Star as Cesare Casadei's Replacement
The Blues are targeting Reda Belahayne, one of Serie A's top deep-lying playmakers, as they look to move Cesare Casadei this winter.
Original Source
Caught Offside
Written by
Steve Worrell
Chelsea are pushing to sign Hellas Verona’s Reda Belahayne as a replacement for Cesare Casadei, who has struggled to break into the first team. While Lazio is interested in Casadei, no agreement has been reached, delaying Chelsea’s pursuit of the 20-year-old Serie A standout.
- Casadei's Struggles and Exit Plans:
- Only six appearances (424 minutes) this season, none in the Premier League.
- Lazio has shown interest but no deal has been finalised.
- Reda Belahayne's Profile:
- Recognised as one of Serie A’s finest deep-lying playmakers.
- Already made 20 appearances for Hellas Verona this season.
- Known for his technical prowess and midfield creativity.
- Challenges for Chelsea:
- Belahayne may be wary of becoming a rotational player at Stamford Bridge, similar to Casadei's experience.
- Chelsea’s transfer strategy has faced criticism for lacking continuity.
- Potential Outgoings:
- Ben Chilwell is also expected to leave, as he doesn’t feature in Enzo Maresca’s long-term plans.
- Chelsea's Squad Overhaul:
- Maresca continues to reshape a bloated squad, balancing incomings and outgoings to build a cohesive team.
Analysis
Reda Belahayne would add creativity and control to Chelsea’s midfield, but the club’s frequent squad rotations and inconsistent utilisation of talent could pose a challenge in convincing him to join. If Chelsea secure this transfer, they must provide the young playmaker with a clear role and opportunities to develop into a key player.
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Africa Foot.
Written by
Steve Worrell
Steve, Co-founder of The 1905 Club, created the platform to provide honest, clickbait-free Chelsea FC content. He worked at Stamford Bridge from 2013 to 2016 with a Champions League sponsor. His first Chelsea match was a 1-0 win at Leeds in 2000, and his favourite was the epic 2012 Champions League game against Napoli.
