You may want to familiarise yourself with Italian wonderkid Cesare Casadei as he continues to light up the U20 World Cup in Argentina.
The highly-rated central midfielder has been tearing it up for Carmine Nunziata's side at this summer's tournament, notching seven goals and two assists in six games for the young Azzurri.
Casadei, who spent the second half of this season on loan at Championship side Reading, is the complete package. He is not only composed in possession, but regularly takes up positions in the final third.
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Some have even compared him to a prime Frank Lampard. In fact, the 20-year-old recently hailed Lampard as better than Steven Gerrard, Andres Iniesta and Toni Kroos in the below video.
If his World Cup performances are anything to go by, Casadei could soon be given the chance to emulate one of Chelsea's greatest players at Stamford Bridge.
The 20-year-old, a standout performer for Inter Milan throughout the 2021/22 campaign, signed a six-year contract with Chelsea last summer in a deal worth a reported £12.6m plus £4.2m in potential future add-ons.
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Neil Bath, the club's head of youth development, was delighted with the arrival.
"Cesare is a player we have tracked for some time and we are delighted he has now agreed to join Chelsea, where he will initially strengthen our U21s squad," he said.
"He is another exciting emerging talent who we are looking forward to seeing develop and progress further as he breaks into senior football in the coming years."
Incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino was provided with another reminder of Casadei's talents in Italy's 2-1 win over South Korea, when the midfielder scored the opener during Thursday's semi-final clash.
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Casadei is already Italy’s all-time leading scorer at the U20 World Cup, with his performances being crucial in their route to the final.
Here's how fans on social media have reacted to his recent displays.
One said: "Cesare Casadei putting in one of the greatest tournaments at youth level in international history. He’s destroying this Under-20 World Cup," while another wrote: "It’s unbelievable what he is doing. Playing like a man amongst boys."
A third commented: "If you have Cesare Casadei in your team, just get him in the box and aim your crosses and cutbacks toward him. He'll outjump defenders, win knockdowns, sniff out second balls, arrive into areas and finish first-time better than a lot of out-and-out strikers."
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A fourth said: "Cesare Casadei already comfortably has one trait that no one else in the midfield has demonstrated for some time. An ability and confidence to shoot from long range and to score from midfield too," while a fifth wrote: "Needs to be in the first team week in week out next season."
Another added: "Cesare Casadei looks to be a serious player. He has what you can’t teach.. and that’s heart. Aim your crosses and cutbacks toward him, he’ll outjump defenders, win knockdowns, sniff out second balls, arrive into areas and finish first-time, make those game changing tackles, etc."
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Italy manager Roberto Mancini has also praised the youngster of late.
"Cesare Casadei is really good," he said. "He had already impressed me during a stage at Coverciano. He went to England and played in the Championship a tough and formative league, almost like the Premier League."
Do you think Pochettino should give him a chance in Chelsea's first-team next season? Is he ready?
Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: FIFA/TikTok - TwitterTopics: Italy, Football World Cup, Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino, Premier League
