Chelsea Excludes Chilwell, Casadei from FA Cup Match

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Ben Chilwell and Cesare Casadei will not participate in the upcoming FA Cup match against Morecambe, as both players are considering exits from the club. Chilwell, who has played only 45 minutes this season, is reportedly weighing his options for a transfer, while Casadei is also expected to leave, with interest from clubs in Italy, France, and the Netherlands. Maresca stated that not using these players is a precaution to avoid potential injuries that could jeopardize their transfer opportunities. He emphasized that the lack of playing time for Casadei is not a reflection of his abilities, as the team has depth in midfield with players like Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. Additionally, Chelsea is exploring options for signing a center-back, including Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace or recalling Trevoh Chalobah from his loan, due to injuries in their defense. The situation highlights Chelsea's ongoing efforts to manage a bloated squad while facilitating player transfers.