Italian side chasing Chelsea midfielder

Chelsea’s winless run stretched to three matches as they were beaten 2-0 by Ipswich Town on Monday evening. 

Liam Delap put the Tractor Boys in front at Portman Road, converting a penalty after being upended by Blues goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.

The Englishman then turned provider, setting up former Chelsea man Omari Hutchinson to double the hosts’ advantage.

Enzo Maresca’s side were once again disappointing and couldn’t find a goal, meaning they now sit ten points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool who also boast a game-in-hand.

Off the pitch, one of Chelsea’s fringe players appears to be attracting interest from a Serie A side.

As per CaughtOffside, Italian side Lazio are among the clubs interested in Blues midfielder Cesare Casadei ahead of the January transfer window.

The midfielder joined Chelsea from Inter Milan in the summer of 2022 as part of a huge recruitment drive by the West London club’s owners.

He has since failed to establish himself as a regular at Stamford Bridge, though, making just 17 appearances for the club including only 11 in the Premier League.

Casadei could leave Chelsea in January

The Italian has spent time on loan at both Reading and Leicester City, but the report claims that he is once again likely to leave SW6 when the window reopens next month.

It is claimed that the 21-year-old midfielder is likely to be available during the mid-season window, and Lazio are currently in pole position to land the player.

The report suggests that the Serie A side are preparing an offer to take the midfielder on an initial loan deal that would include an obligation-to-buy clause.

Chelsea, however, are reluctant to allow the player to leave at a cut-price and could therefore demand a significant amount for the Italian, who is under contract until the end of the 2027/28 season.

Fellow Serie A clubs Fiorentina and AC Milan could rival Lazio for the player’s signature, while Real Betis, PSV and Feyenoord are also credited with an interest.