Federico Chiesa has long been considered one of Italy’s hottest commodities, but his fortunes have changed significantly over the past few years. From being one of the key players for the Italian national team to struggling with injuries and being deemed surplus to requirements by Juventus, Chiesa’s career has taken a significant turn. However, his recent move to Liverpool for a fee of £10m could be the fresh start he needs to revive his career.
As news of the transfer broke, fans of the Reds were excited to hear about the addition of the 26-year-old winger to their squad. Chiesa, who appeared in all four of Italy’s matches at Euro 2024, has the skills and versatility to complement Liverpool’s existing forward line, which boasts the likes of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo, and Luis Diaz.
But who is Chiesa, and why are Juventus letting him go for such a low fee? BBC Sport has delved into the story behind Chiesa’s transfer to Liverpool.
The Rise of Chiesa: A Look Back at His Career
Chiesa was born to play football. As the son of former Italy striker Enrico Chiesa, he had big shoes to fill from a young age. He joined Fiorentina’s youth ranks at the age of 10 and quickly rose through the ranks, making his senior debut for the club in August 2016.
In his first full season with Fiorentina, Chiesa established himself as one of the key players, playing in various positions across the front line. His impressive performances earned him recognition, and he soon became a mainstay in the Italian national team. Chiesa’s stats are impressive – 60 goal involvements in 153 appearances for Fiorentina, a testament to his skill and dedication to the sport.
Chiesa’s Time at Juventus
Chiesa’s transfer to Juventus in October 2020 came as no surprise to fans. His performances at Fiorentina had caught the attention of the top clubs in Italy, and Juventus was eager to add him to their squad. His debut season with Juventus was impressive, but an anterior cruciate ligament injury in early January 2022 kept him out for 10 months.
When he finally returned to action in November 2022, Chiesa struggled to recapture his form. Despite his best efforts, he managed just 11 goals and eight assists across 54 Serie A appearances since. His injuries had taken a toll on his career, and Juventus was willing to let him go for a relatively low fee.
What Next for Chiesa at Liverpool?
Chiesa’s transfer to Liverpool is a fresh start for the 26-year-old winger. With his contract set to expire next summer, Juve manager Thiago Motta was willing to let him go for a low fee rather than risking losing him for free in less than 12 months.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot will be confident of bringing the best out of Chiesa at Anfield. Despite concerns over Chiesa’s fitness and proneness to injuries, the Reds are taking a calculated risk in signing the talented winger. As Verri puts it, “It’s a bet for Liverpool. He won’t cost that much, but it’s a dangerous move.”
With Liverpool’s current squad and Slot’s tactical prowess, there is a possibility that Chiesa will find a new lease of life in England. Slot has the luxury of deploying Chiesa in various positions, allowing the winger to exploit the spaces left behind by Liverpool’s more physical forwards.
However, concerns remain about Chiesa’s fitness. Since November 2021, Chiesa has spent over 400 days out injured, which could pose a problem for a physically demanding league like the Premier League.
Opinions from Italy
We spoke to Daniele Verri, an Italian football journalist, who gave his opinion on the transfer: “Chiesa has always been an incredible talent. The English fans will appreciate him a lot because he’s always the kind of player that would work 200%. Chiesa would get used in some Premier League team in order to let their strong man move behind, do everything by creating room. Then all other pieces need to stay ready because a game turns one against each in very less minutes with more turns needed which puts immense workload.
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