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West Ham United’s reported interest in Cesare Casadei, on the back of some impressive Serie A performances in Torino, may have some at Chelsea fearing that history could repeat itself.
After four goals in his last nine matches, including a consolation header against Napoli last week, Casadei finds himself on West Ham’s radar ahead of the summer transfer window.
That is according to Tuttosport, who suggest a battle with David Moyes’ Everton may be on the cards.
West Ham United’s fierce London rivals Chelsea sold Casadei to Torino in a £10 million deal last summer. Having played only 71 Premier League minutes across eleven substitute appearances for the Stamford Bridge side, a midfielder some have dubbed Italy’s answer to Frank Lampard will feel he never really got the rub of the green in a royal blue jersey.
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The prospect of Casadei blossoming away from West London, in the manner of Kevin de Bruyne and Mo Salah, is understandably one that may weigh heavily on those at Chelsea who questioned the logic of cashing in on a 23-year-old with clear potential and such unique qualities.
Chelsea may regret Cesare Casadei sale as West Ham United linger
A boyish, apple-cheeked De Bruyne played only 50 minutes more than Casadei in a Chelsea shirt, albeit mustering only three appearances.
The Blues sold the Belgian to Werder Bremen in 2014. One year later, with a Bundesliga Player of the Year award crammed into his suitcase, De Bruyne returned to England with Manchester City.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Mo Salah, in contrast, was almost an ever-present. We jest, of course. But Salah’s tally of six assists and over 500 Premier League minutes is far more than De Bruyne or Casadei were awarded.
Now, the fact that De Bruyne and Salah would become bonafide Premier League greats at Manchester City and Liverpool does not mean that Casadei is destined to do the same in a West Ham shirt.
But the potential of leaving their blue-shirted rivals red-faced once again will appeal to Hammers fanatics almost as much as the prospect of Casadei stepping, long-term, into the sizeable shoes of Tomas Soucek.
Casadei looks like a perfect Tomas Soucek protege
There are certainly shades of Soucek in Casadei, still only 23.
The former Leicester City loanee shares that handy habit of popping up in the penalty area to put away chances, usually with his head.
Only Atalanta striker Nikola Krstovic, Roma newbie Donyell Malen and Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez have scored more than his four Serie A goals since the turn of the year. Six of his last nine goals, meanwhile, have been headers.
Soucek is into the last year of his contract, and recently turned 31. It makes sense to have a long-term replacement lined up.
Especially one who West Ham could use to rub in Chelsea’s faces; the ‘Italian Lampard’ on the radar a quarter of a century after one London giant raided another for the original version.
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