One factor that has been a transparent focus for Chelsea since Todd Boehly purchased the membership in 2022 was to construct a robust core of younger gamers. Granted, this has not been an inexpensive course of, however there isn’t any doubt the Blues have a superb group of kids with whom they’ll construct in direction of the longer term.
In fact, there are a number of of those gamers who’re already making waves within the first staff with Enzo Maresca. The likes of Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson spring to thoughts, each of whom are simply 23 years of age. Cole Palmer is youthful, solely 22, and Romeo Lavia is 20 years outdated.
With such stiff competitors for locations, it does depart among the youthful gamers on the perimeter of the squad with fewer probabilities to impress.
Nonetheless, a number of of the Blues’ youthful stars have picked up minutes on worldwide responsibility this week.
Chelsea’s younger worldwide stars
There have been 5 distinguished gamers at Stamford Bridge who’ve been taking part in age-group soccer for his or her international locations through the November worldwide break. Goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom is one participant away on worldwide responsibility. The Finland youth worldwide helped his aspect to a 5-1 thrashing over Norway, conceding a purpose within the forty second minute.
Marc Guiu is one other younger participant away along with his nationwide staff’s age group aspect. The striker, who joined the Blues from Barcelona in the summertime, performs for Spain’s under-19 aspect however didn’t get on the scoresheet in a 3-0 win over the Faroe Islands under-19s. He not too long ago scored his first purpose for Chelsea within the Europa Convention League in opposition to FC Noah.
Frustratingly, one participant pushing for a beginning berth at Stamford Bridge, Filip Jorgensen, needed to pull out of nationwide staff responsibility with harm. Since becoming a member of from Villarreal final season, the goalkeeper has performed seven occasions for the Blues and will have had an opportunity to additional stake his declare with Denmark under-21s this week had it not been for a health problem.
Malo Gusto, who has performed 11 video games for the Blues this season in captain Reece James’ absence, also needs to have performed age-group soccer this week, for France under-21s. Sadly, like Jorgensen, the right-back additionally missed the November camp as a result of harm.
Curiously, Gusto may have performed in opposition to a Chelsea teammate had he stayed with the squad, Italy under-21 midfielder Cesare Casadei.
Casadei’s time with Italy under-21s
Proficient Italian midfielder Casadei has had a tricky time of issues at Stamford Bridge. He initially joined the membership in 2022 from Inter and value £12.6m up entrance with an extra £4.2m in add-ons.
He has to this point performed simply 15 occasions for the membership, having been out on mortgage at Studying in his first season and Leicester Metropolis final time period, earlier than being recalled in January. The midfielder performed beneath Maresca on the King Energy Stadium, so it could be shocking that he has featured simply 4 occasions beneath him this season.
He actually impressed for Italy under-21s this week, in opposition to Gusto’s nation of France. The previous Inter academy starlet acquired himself on the scoresheet from midfield however was very good outdoors of that. The 6 foot 1 midfielder additionally received 9 duels and created one probability, as per Sofascore.
|
Casadei stats vs France under-21s |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat |
Quantity |
|
Touches |
48 |
|
Passes accomplished |
26/34 |
|
Floor duels received |
5/9 |
|
Aerial duels received |
4/5 |
|
Tackles received |
3/3 |
|
Probabilities created |
1 |
|
Targets |
1 |
|
Stats from Sofascore |
|
It’d effectively be irritating for the teen that he has not fairly had a chance beneath Maresca but. Soccer analyst Ben Mattinson described him as a “sport changer”, praising his capacity to reach into the field and get on the top of crosses.
With the Blues preventing on all fronts in three competitions, together with the FA Cup which is but to get began for them, there are many alternatives for Casadei to stake a declare for a extra everlasting function within the Stamford Bridge midfield.
His efficiency in opposition to France will solely have labored in his favour, and Casadei will little question be hoping to kick on from right here. As Mattinson acknowledged, he may effectively be a ‘sport changer’ for the Blues within the close to future.
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