From the likes of Diego Maradona to Lionel Messi, the U20 World Cup has served as a stage for football’s greatest young talents to blossom into stardom. In this year’s edition, Chelsea fielded several youngsters representing their respective countries. Although not every one of the young Blues had the most chances to impress, there were few standouts that have staked their claim for a shot at first-team football in the future.
Rankings for all Chelsea youngsters who participated in the U20 World Cup
1. Cesare Casadei
Chelsea may have a gem here. Cesare Casadei lit up the U20 World Cup, leading Italy to the final while being the tournament’s leading scorer and winning the golden ball with seven goals and two assists to his name. The Italian midfielder mainly played as a No.8 behind the No.10 and the two strikers. He loves to roam forward into the box and that was the result of many of his goals in the tournament.
Casadei has an incredible physical frame for his age, allowing him to tower above his peers for aerial challenges and score as well. On the ball, he’s not flashy, he looks to either progress the ball or distribute it quickly and then move into an attacking position so he can be an asset to finish crosses and passes into the box. Casadei just concluded a loan at Championship side Reading and with the midfield exodus happening this summer, he’s certainly impressed enough to show what he can contribute to the team at least in preseason.