The only Premier League team without a new hire is Liverpool. That might soon change, though, considering their interest in Federico Chiesa, a winger for Juventus.
The Italian, who is valued at just £13 million as he approaches the last year of his contract, has been banished from the first team plans by new manager Thiago Motta, and the Reds are scouting a brilliant steal. Chiesa has not appeared in the team’s two league games this season, and his departure is imminent.
Throughout his career, the 26-year-old has primarily played on the right, although in recent seasons, he has also played on the left or as a supporting striker. Liverpool’s natural right-wing alternatives behind Mohamed Salah, who is entering his last year of contract, are particularly limited.
Arne Slot would have to locate a replacement since it is expected that the Egyptian will depart when its contract expires in the summer. Although it’s unclear if Chiesa would be the best person to fill that position, the next Anfield manager is drawn to him in the near term because of his versatility.
Due to Salah’s illustrious record of avoiding injuries, Liverpool has not had to worry too much about right-wing possibilities; nevertheless, despite Harvey Elliott filling in as deputy, Salah’s hamstring injury from the previous season made it clear that the position needs to be future-proof.
With Chiesa, Liverpool is concerned since he has had injury struggles recently. The attacker suffered a cruciate ligament injury six months after leading Italy to victory in their Euro 2020 campaign, ending his 2021–22 career.
Since then, he has not been able to reach the same levels of performance; the athlete acknowledged that the injury “slowed down my career”. But in the summer, in front of Euro 2024, he was anxious to emphasize that as a result, he has emerged as a more well-rounded player and believes he is almost back to full strength.
“I learned a lot from the injury,” he said to France Football. I was definitely a more innate and impetuous player in the past; my style of play may have evolved, but not my speed. I’ve now about returned to where I was prior to the injury.
Slot will be happy to hear this, even though the medical examinations still need to be finished and approved. The good news is that Chiesa is in a good frame of mind regarding his complete fitness, but his early season lack of playing time may initially sap his motivation.
Chiesa’s detractors are numerous, and many of them worry he won’t be able to perform to the caliber he displayed at Euro 2020 three years ago. For a nominal cost, Liverpool would acquire an asset who was chosen as Italy’s player of the year in 2021—a player with a point to prove—without jeopardizing the harmony within the current team.
