Enzo Maresca ready to let Chelsea sell star player in January - Reports

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca is prepared to sanction an exit for compatriot Cesare Casadei amid interest from Serie A outfit Torino, as per a report from journalist Gianluca Di Marzio. The youngster has played a bit-part role this season and is reportedly looking for a permanent exit from Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window.

Di Marzio reports that Torino are prepared to pay around €12 million for the midfielder, but are short of Chelsea's asking price. The Blues are reportedly demanding €20 million for Casadei, and wish to include a buy-back clause in the deal. The Serie A side are only looking to offer the Premier League giants a percentage of a future sale for the midfielder.

Cesare Casadei cost Chelsea around £20 million (€24m) when he joined them from Inter Milan in the summer of 2022. The 21-year-old midfielder spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Reading before then-Leicester City coach Enzo Maresca took him on loan in the 2023-24 season.

Casadei returned to Stamford Bridge midway through the season after a series of injuries to key players forced Mauricio Pochettino to recall him. The youngster, however, featured sparingly for the Blues for the second half of the 2023-24 season.

Maresca is now reportedly ready for the Italy under-21 international to move away from the club. The youngster has appeared just six times in the UEFA Europa Conference League and Carabao Cup this season.

Chelsea coach names debutant as best player in game against Crystal Palace

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca has named teenage star Josh Acheampong as his side's best player in their recent game against Crystal Palace. The 18-year-old made his full league debut as the Blues were held to a 1-1 draw by the Eagles.

Acheampong was a surprise inclusion in the starting XI for Maresca's side, playing alongside 21-year-old Levi Colwill in defense. Maresca heaped praise on the youngster, saying (via Tribal Football):

"All the players, for me, were good today but if I had to decide for one, I think for sure, Josh was our best player because of his age, it was his first game. Josh, for me, can be a top player for this club but he needs the right path, the right moment; for young players, you need to decide which moment.

"We decided today because we think he showed that he was ready. Today, I think he showed how good he is. Because of his age, he needs to slow down, work hard and take his next chance.

"Even if we don't decide to buy players or sell players because Josh has shown he is good. We already knew Josh was good enough. Probably with Wes (Fofana) and Benoit (Badiashile) injuries, we will see if something is going to happen."

With Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile ruled out for the foreseeable future, and Tosin Adarabioyo and Axel Disasi unconvincing, Acheampong has a chance to stake his claim. The teenager signed a new deal with the Blues last month.