Why Sensi isn’t a Casadei replacement for Leicester City

Leicester City are ready to welcome Inter midfielder Stefano Sensi, a technically gifted player who fills a different role to Chelsea returnee Cesare Casadei.

The 21-year-old Casadei spent the first half of this season on loan with the Foxes before Chelsea decided to end his loan spell 10 days ago, bringing him back to West London. Whilst the Italian youngster didn’t set the world alight in the Championship, he did play a role for coach Enzo Maresca.

Leicester took to the transfer market to bolster their squad, agreeing to sign Sensi from Inter on a €500,000 loan deal with a €2m conditional obligation to buy clause attached, dependant on their promotion to the Premier League.

On paper, the Foxes are signing Sensi to replace Casadei in Maresca’s squad, but the two players are not similar on the pitch, with their heights providing a clue to their respective roles – the Nerazzurri man stands at 1.68 metres whilst the youngster is taller at 1.85 metres.

Casadei is a physically imposing box-to-box midfielder, comfortable charging up the pitch with the ball and using his stature to bully his opposition off the ball. He also provides a threat in the air and is a hard work defensively.

In comparison, Sensi is a more technically-minded player who excels with the ball at his feet, able to play inventive passes and spot his teammates runs across the pitch. His injury history and smaller stature make him less confident physically, both in terms of duels and quick bursts forward.