Villa, Brighton touted as possible routes for Chelsea starlet as midfield ace seeks ‘taste’ of PL action

Chelsea are reportedly hoping to loan youngster Cesare Casadei out to a Premier League club next season, with Aston Villa and Brighton possibilities.

The 20-year-old joined the Blues from Inter Milan last summer, with Chelsea paying around €15m for the starlet. The midfielder spent time in the Under-21s, scoring four goals from nine starts in Premier League 2. It was deemed that he could do with some senior experience and so club officials loaned him to Championship outfit Reading in January.

The move paid off for the youngster, who was handed 13 starts and 15 appearances overall for the Royals, scoring once.

However, he was unable to help the Berkshire outfit retain their second-tier status. They ended up 22nd and will play in League One next term.

Casadei has now returned to Stamford Bridge, with many options for 2023-2024. And it appears as though a few Italian clubs are keen to take him on loan.

Calcio Mercato suggest several clubs are ready to ‘carry out a survey’ to land him ahead of next season.

However, the same outlet state that Chelsea want him to ‘taste’ the Premier League. That would suggest a loan move is being lined up to a club outside the so-called big six.

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And the report mentions the Villans and Seagulls as possible destinations.

Details are sketchy as to why the two clubs have been linked. But it is said that Brighton have ‘excellent relations’ with the west London giants.

Chelsea wise to persevere with Casadei

New Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has a myriad of issues to sort out at Stamford Bridge.

He must trim his squad while adding quality in a few areas of the pitch.

The Argentinian needs a top-class striker, with several names mentioned as possible recruits.

There is also talk of a midfielder, with Mason Mount tipped to join Manchester United.

Casadei appears to be the real deal and is rated as one of the brightest Italian prospects.

He can play anywhere across the midfield and is comfortable on either flank.

The Ravenna-born ace can also operate as a holding midfielder, giving any manager plenty of options.

In an era when clubs are spending vast sums on new players, Chelsea already have an exciting prospect on their books.

He may need another season to develop but could be a star for the Blues in the future.

Either of the aforementioned clubs would provide a decent temporary home.

Brighton ended up in sixth spot to secure a Europa League place while Villa will take part in the Europa Conference League.

Unai Emery dragged them up from the lower reaches of the table to finish seventh. And they are a club trending in the right direction.

Leandro Trossard left Brighton in January while Alexis Mac Allister has now joined Liverpool.

Manager Roberto De Zerbi has been roundly praised since replacing Graham Potter at the Amex.

And Casadei would certainly benefit from a spell under his compatriot on the south coast.

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