Former Lazio defender Angelo Gregucci has said that Cesare Casadei getting game time in Chelsea would lower Italy’s credibility with grown young talent, according to a report in the Italian broadcast media.
Speaking during an interview with 1 Station Radio, via L’Interista, Angelo Gregucci offered his thoughts about Cesare Casadei’s move from Inter to Chelsea which was made official on Friday.
The move is for €15 million and there will be another €5 million of add-ons as well for Inter. The 19-year-old has never played a senior game for Inter and many people have criticised the Nerazzurri for selling young Italian talent rather than finding a role for him in the first team.
There is no guarantee that Cesare Casadei will see many senior minutes for Chelsea this season but if he does, Angelo Gregucci thinks that it will damage Italy’s credibility when it comes to the development of young talent.
“The football market, by now, is globalised. For these guys it will be a great experience, the Premier League is the reference league in world football.
“For Casadei, a reflection has to be made: Inter’s budget comes before the training of a promising Italian player who for 15 million will have to go and train abroad.
“It is true that it is difficult for a boy to find a place in the first team, in Italy, but if these boys then establish themselves elsewhere we lose further credibility.
“He will have the chance to play Premier League football and the English cups. To have credibility you must also have the courage to launch the products of our youth sectors. We lack Musiala, we lack Pedri, but not for lack of talent, but for lack of courage.”
