Liverpool MUST Give Federico Chiesa a Fair Chance Before Making Transfer Decision | OneFootball

When Liverpool fans talk about what’s missing in their attack, the conversation often circles around unpredictability and a touch of chaos. It could be argued that Darwin Nunez possesses the latter, but with the Uruguayan seemingly poised for the Anfield exit door and lacking in end product nine times out of ten, it should be remembered that despite a difficult first season, these are both qualities that a fully fit Federico Chiesa has in abundance.

After a stop-start season, following his €11 million move from Juventus, clouded by injuries and inconsistency, it’s easy to forget just how electric the Italian winger can be. But with a full pre-season to reset, recalibrate, and finally integrate, Chiesa could be the spark Liverpool never knew they needed and absolutely can’t afford to let go until he’s been given a real chance.

Chiesa has often been linked with a move back to Serie A this summer, with Italian champions Napoli seemingly leading the race for his signature.

Here’s why the Italian deserves an opportunity to show Arne Slot that he’s capable of being an important part of his squad for the coming season and that Liverpool would be wise to give the Italian a full pre-season to prove his worth.

The Federico Chiesa Story So Far

Injuries have undeniably disrupted Chiesa’s rhythm, but even in his limited appearances last season, the flashes were there: bursts of acceleration, direct dribbling, and that aggressive, never-back-down attitude that made him a key figure in Italy’s Euro 2020 success. It’s easy to forget that Chiesa arrived at Anfield late last summer, tasked with adapting to the demands of a club in transition, whilst having suffered an awful time with injuries in the years since Italy’s successful Euro 2020 campaign, including almost a year out having torn his ACL during the 2021/22 season.

While the Liverpool team as a whole had to navigate a season of tactical evolution, Chiesa was doing so while managing his own physical setbacks, having spent 73 days sidelined with various injuries, making it nearly impossible for him to build momentum or stake a consistent claim in the side.

Now, with a full preseason ahead and a year of settling in behind him, this summer represents the ideal moment to finally judge Chiesa on a level playing field. He’s a player built for chaos, but he thrives on structure, something Slot now has the time to fully implement. Letting him leave before he’s been properly integrated would be short-sighted. Especially with the uncertainty surrounding Darwin Nunez and Luis Díaz’s futures at the club.

Liverpool have waited on players before. Darwin Nunez has had fans fighting his corner for three years, insisting that his time is coming. Naby Keita showed moments of genius that showed just why Liverpool splashed out on him, had a torrid time with injuries and yet still managed a five-year stint at Anfield. Even Andy Robertson was made to wait; the Scotland captain played the role of understudy to Alberto Moreno when he first arrived, having signed from Hull City, a move that could arguably now be described as the bargain of the century.

Chiesa deserves the same patience because if he hits his stride, he has the tools to become a game changer in this next phase of the club’s evolution.

Will Chiesa Be Given a Chance to Hit His Stride?

Whether Federico Chiesa is given a real chance at Liverpool will depend on Arne Slot’s willingness to look beyond a turbulent first season and trust in the long-term upside of a player who has already shown flashes of brilliance. Performances like the FA Cup defeat at Plymouth won’t help Chiesa’s case.

The Italian completed the full 90 minutes and his impact was minimal. In a game that cried out for inspiration and drive from wide areas, he failed to influence proceedings in the way that Arne Slot had hoped. His lack of sharpness and rhythm was evident, perhaps understandable given the nature of his fragmented season, but it served as a reminder that reputation alone won’t be enough to earn minutes in a competitive squad.

Yet, the Carabao Cup final told a different story. Chiesa’s goal in that game was a moment of high quality and individual brilliance, the type of game-changing intervention Liverpool have often lacked in tight encounters. Yes, Liverpool still went on to lose, but having been introduced with 16 minutes to play, Chiesa looked bright, something that Liverpool hadn’t looked all afternoon, and dragged them back into the game. Even though that goal wasn’t enough to save the day for the Reds, his performance was a statement that he can deliver on the big stage when fit and given the platform.

So, will he be given the opportunity to build on that? It depends on how Slot weighs inconsistency against potential. If Liverpool are truly entering a new era, one that values dynamism, chaos, and unpredictability in attack, then Chiesa deserves the benefit of a full pre-season and a defined role in Arne Slot’s squad.

Signs seem to currently point towards Liverpool targeting a new attacker, alongside bringing in Florian Wirtz. But writing Chiesa off now, after one season that never truly got going for the Italy international, would be premature. But he’ll need more Carabao Cup finals than Plymouth showings to truly stake his claim. The window of opportunity is small, given the talent competing for a place in Liverpool’s attack, which could be added to, but it’s still open and it will be interesting to see how Chiesa gets on with a full and hopefully uninterrupted pre-season under his belt.