Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa may already be contemplating a departure from Anfield, despite joining the club only a few months ago. The 26-year-old Italian international, who signed with Liverpool in August from Juventus, cost the Reds an initial £10 million with an additional £2.5 million in potential add-ons. Chiesa’s transfer was notable, not only because he was Liverpool’s only major signing in an otherwise subdued transfer window, but also due to the relatively low fee, which was seen as a calculated investment given his experience and quality displayed in Serie A.
However, Chiesa’s time at Liverpool has been far from smooth. Known to have struggled with injuries in the past, he has faced similar issues since arriving at the Premier League side. These ongoing fitness problems have limited his appearances, with the winger only featuring in three games for Liverpool so far. His most recent appearance was during Liverpool’s 5-1 victory over West Ham in the Carabao Cup. Since then, he has been largely absent, sparking concerns about his ability to adapt to the demands of English football.
Liverpool’s head coach, Arne Slot, highlighted Chiesa’s adjustment struggles ahead of their recent Champions League match against RB Leipzig, which Liverpool won 1-0. Slot explained that Chiesa’s challenges are less about moving from Italian to English football and more about his lack of a full pre-season, a critical period for any player. “He missed a full pre-season, which I’ve mentioned before, and is now in a league where the intensity might be even higher than Italy’s,” Slot remarked, acknowledging how the absence of pre-season preparation has impacted Chiesa’s ability to keep pace with the rigorous demands of the Premier League and Liverpool’s packed schedule.
Slot also expressed empathy for Chiesa, noting the frustration that comes from constant training disruptions. “It’s hard to say, but it’s really disappointing for him to be in and out of training constantly. I feel for him,” Slot admitted, recognizing the toll this situation may take on the player.
Now, reports from Italian outlet Calciomercato, as cited by FourFourTwo, suggest that Chiesa might return to Italy sooner than expected, potentially on loan as early as January. It’s believed that Serie A clubs, including Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Roma, are interested in securing Chiesa’s services, viewing him as a “calculated” risk despite his injury record.
So far, Chiesa has refrained from speaking publicly about his current struggles at Liverpool, and it remains unclear if he is open to an early return to Serie A.
