Enzo Maresca reveals double Chelsea selection decision with transfer twist
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Ben Chilwell and Cesare Casadei will be left out Chelsea’s squad to face Morecambe in the FA Cup as the pair look to secure January exits. Both players have been deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge and manager Enzo Maresca does not want to jeopardise their prospects of a move by risking injury.
Chelsea hoped to sell Chilwell last summer but could not find a buyer. While the England international was eventually reintegrated into Maresca’s first-team squad, he has made just one appearance all season, as a substitute against Barrow in the Carabao Cup in September.
“Chilwell, for him, I think in this moment is thinking he is probably going to leave, so it is probably better to avoid using him to avoid that kind of situation, [in case of] an injury or these kind of things,” Maresca confirmed on Friday. “So, the plan is not to use Ben tomorrow.”.
Casadei has been more involved this season, featuring in all but one of Chelsea’s Conference League group stage games. However, the 22-year-old has not played a minute in the Premier League and made the bench only four times in 20 matches. The Italian midfielder is now the subject of interest from his homeland, with Torino in negotiations with Chelsea over a potential move.
“For him [Casadei], probably in this moment, the idea is not to allow him to play some minutes in case there is any opportunity for him to go and play,” Maresca said. “At this moment, this is the best thing for him.”. Maresca did not confirm whether Casadei’s likely exit would be on loan or on a permanent basis.
