Liverpool fans were likely caught off guard when they heard about the club’s increasing interest in Federico Chiesa late in the summer transfer window. The excitement surrounding this potential move was heightened when Fabrizio Romano, a trusted transfer journalist, confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that Liverpool’s pursuit of Chiesa was still ongoing. According to Romano, Chiesa is reportedly “excited” about the possibility of joining Liverpool under the management of Arne Slot. This interest comes on the heels of Chiesa’s impressive contributions last season, where the Italian winger scored 13 goals across 37 matches in all competitions.
When it comes to the financial aspect of this potential transfer, Liverpool might not have to break the bank. Early reports from August, particularly those from Mirko Di Natale as cited by the Liverpool Echo, suggested that Juventus could be willing to let Chiesa go for as little as £13 million. Such a price would be a significant bargain for a player who is entering the prime years of his career, especially one with Chiesa’s pedigree and potential.
However, concerns about Chiesa’s injury history have been raised. When examining his availability over the past five Serie A seasons, it becomes clear that injuries have indeed affected his playing time. Specifically, during the 2023/24 season, Chiesa played in 33 league games but missed five due to injury. The previous season, 2022/23, saw him feature in only 21 league games, missing 17 matches due to an ongoing cruciate ligament tear from the prior season. In the 2021/22 season, Chiesa managed only 14 league appearances, with 24 games missed due to various injuries. However, in the 2020/21 season, he played in 33 games, missing only three, and in the 2019/20 season, he appeared in 34 games, with just two missed due to injury. On average, over the past five seasons, Chiesa has been available for approximately 71.05% of league fixtures.
While these figures might raise some concerns, it’s important to note that Chiesa’s injury history does not entirely preclude him from making a valuable contribution to Liverpool as a backup forward. In three of the last five Serie A seasons, the 26-year-old has managed to play in over 30 league games in a 38-game season, which does not include additional competitions.
Although there are legitimate concerns about the higher physical demands of the Premier League compared to Serie A, it’s worth considering the style of play under Arne Slot. His approach tends to be more energy-conserving, which could suit Chiesa well. Additionally, Liverpool’s lead physical performance coach, Ruben Peeters, could potentially have a positive impact on managing Chiesa’s fitness.
Ultimately, while there is some risk involved in signing Chiesa, it could be a gamble worth taking, particularly if he is not relied upon as the primary forward in the team.
