Cesare Casadei played 79 minutes of football at Stamford Bridge after being recalled by Chelsea, despite the possibility of a protracted term in the first team at City. Cesare Casadei came on as a late substitute for Cole Palmer in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Bournemouth on the last day of the Premier League season. It brought him to 79 minutes of pitch time under Mauricio Pochettino. To the astonishment and frustration of Enzo Maresca, Casadei’s recall by Chelsea in January appeared to be with the aim of the young Italian midfielder playing a significant part at Stamford Bridge. After all, he was about to begin a run of games as a regular starter for Leicester City.
Wilfred Ndidi was out for a few months due to an injury, which opened the door for Casadei, who Maresca favored over Dennis Praet and Yunus Akgun because to his superior physicality. Chelsea had to have had a plan for him if they turned down the opportunity. Instead, he made 11 substitute appearances and no starts, with his longest performance being a 16-minute stint in a win over Tottenham. It’s unclear how much the 20-year-old would have learnt from such limited possibilities.
But it has taught City a lesson about the risks of loaning players. It’s something they should keep in mind this summer, especially if more short-term deals become available. According to Maresca, City’s budgetary constraints will make for a “low-key” summer of transfers. A purchasing spree is not likely, thus loan deals may be required to boost the team. Because signing promising young players is not out of the question simply because City plays in the Premier League. Burnley had David Datro Fofana from Chelsea this season, while James McAtee was loaned out from Manchester City to Sheffield United.
City are expected to be far enough out of contention to not be regarded a rival to the elite clubs, and given the style of football they play under Maresca, they remain an appealing destination for talents to learn their trade. It is absolutely a market they should be looking into. However, the Casadei incident demonstrates the challenge they may face. When City lost the Italian and did not replace him, Maresca was dissatisfied for the rest of the season. It disturbed the balance of his squad and left him with little options. It came up in his post-season assessment of “things he didn’t like”.
However, City may have to take this risk again. It may be the most cost-effective option to strengthen the squad, even if it leaves them vulnerable to the judgments of the major clubs. City can measure a club’s depth and predict whether a player will be recalled in the middle of the season. Even so, you risk losing someone only so they can play 79 minutes in five months for their parent club.
