Quick Read
- Federico Chiesa has played just 186 minutes for Liverpool since joining in August 2024, scoring twice and assisting once.
- Despite limited game time, Chiesa is not actively seeking a transfer, though several Serie A clubs remain interested.
- Italy coach Rino Gattuso has publicly warned Chiesa about his lack of minutes, stressing the importance of regular play ahead of the 2026 World Cup play-offs.
- Chiesa’s high salary and personal resolve complicate a potential return to Serie A.
Chiesa’s Liverpool Gamble: Promise Meets Reality
When Federico Chiesa signed for Liverpool in August 2024 for €12 million, it seemed like a calculated leap. The Italian winger, in his prime at 28, was determined to prove himself in the Premier League, arguably the most scrutinized stage in world football. The move was met with anticipation both in England and Italy—Liverpool fans hoped for a new spark, while Italians saw their Euro 2020 hero stepping into a grander arena.
But months later, the story has taken a complicated turn. Chiesa has only started twice across 11 appearances, and most of his 186 minutes have come in the Carabao Cup. While he’s managed two goals and an assist, these flashes of brilliance have been rare. Liverpool’s summer transfer activity—bringing in Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, and Hugo Etikité—has only intensified the competition for forward spots. Now, with Liverpool reportedly eyeing yet another attacker, Antoine Semenyo, Chiesa’s place in the pecking order looks even more precarious (Cult of Calcio).
Staying Put—But at What Cost?
Despite the limited minutes, Chiesa isn’t agitating for a transfer. According to renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano, Chiesa remains convinced he made the right move. He’s not rushing back to Serie A, even as top Italian clubs like Inter, Roma, and Milan circle, sensing a rare opportunity. The obstacles are significant: while the transfer fee is manageable by Serie A standards, Chiesa’s €7.5 million salary is a heavy burden for most Italian clubs (Cult of Calcio).
Yet, beneath the surface, there’s a sense of unease. Observers note that Chiesa has turned down recent call-ups to the Italian national team, choosing instead to focus on training and fighting for his spot at Liverpool. For a player whose international reputation was forged in the blue of the Azzurri, this is a significant choice—and one that hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Italy’s Call and Gattuso’s Warning
The pressure is mounting from home. Italy coach Rino Gattuso hasn’t minced words: he’s called out Chiesa for “throwing away the first half of the season at Liverpool,” suggesting the winger should have considered his options more carefully last summer (Football Italia). Gattuso’s concern isn’t just about club football—it’s about Italy’s hopes for the 2026 World Cup. With crucial play-offs looming in March, the national team can ill afford to have one of its most explosive attackers lacking match fitness or confidence.
“Chiesa needs to think of himself and Italy,” Gattuso has said pointedly. The message is clear: without regular game time, Chiesa’s spot in the national squad is far from guaranteed. Italy’s recent struggles to qualify for major tournaments have made every selection more urgent, and Gattuso is signaling that reputation alone won’t be enough.
January and Beyond: A Fork in the Road
There’s one glimmer of hope for Chiesa’s situation at Liverpool: the imminent absence of Mo Salah, who will depart in January for the Africa Cup of Nations. On paper, this should open up more opportunities for Chiesa. But football is rarely so straightforward. With Liverpool’s attacking depth and the manager’s preferences still unclear, it’s uncertain whether Chiesa will truly be given the chance to prove himself—or whether he’ll remain on the fringes as the season enters its decisive phase.
Meanwhile, the transfer rumor mill is spinning. Should Chiesa signal a willingness to leave, Serie A clubs are poised to act. Inter have long sought a quick, direct winger; Roma’s need for affordable attacking reinforcements is perennial; Milan could use another option behind their established stars. But the salary question remains, and Chiesa’s own commitment to staying at Liverpool complicates the equation further.
Between Ambition and Loyalty: The Personal Dilemma
Chiesa’s predicament is the classic tension between personal ambition and loyalty to a decision. He believes in his ability to succeed at Liverpool, but the reality of limited minutes is undeniable. For a player at his peak, these are precious years—ones that can define not just a career, but a legacy.
There’s also the matter of pride. For many top players, admitting a move hasn’t worked out is a difficult pill to swallow. Chiesa’s reluctance to return to Italy too quickly may be rooted in a desire to avoid the “failed export” label that has haunted other Italians in the Premier League. But as the second half of the season approaches, the cost of inaction grows ever steeper—not just for Chiesa, but for Italy’s World Cup ambitions.
Federico Chiesa’s saga at Liverpool is a microcosm of the modern footballer’s dilemma: stay the course in a tough environment, or seek a fresh start for the sake of career and country? With the World Cup on the horizon and club competition intensifying, the next few months will force Chiesa—and perhaps Liverpool and Italy—to confront uncomfortable questions. If opportunity knocks in January, his response may shape not just his own future, but the fate of Italian football in 2026.