Double Chiesa challenge as Liverpool winger eyes Italy return in 2025 | OneFootball

Federico Chiesa remains out of action for Liverpool, which needs to change if the former Juventus winger wishes to return to the Italy national team set-up in 2025. Here is what needs to happen before Luciano Spalletti calls the 27-year-old up again.

Chiesa background: Liverpool move and fitness issues

Chiesa moved to Liverpool in a €15m move from Juventus right at the end of the summer transfer window. He had been training individually in Turin after being told he would not be part of Thiago Motta’s plans for the 2024-25 season.

Since then, the Italy international hasn’t really got going under Arne Slot. Almost three months into his Liverpool career, Chiesa has played for just 78 minutes, spread across three substitute appearances in the Premier League, Champions League and EFL Cup.

Federico Chiesa of Liverpool passes the ball prior to Diogo Jota of Liverpool (not pictured) scores his team’s first goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and West Ham United at Anfield on September 25, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Slot has recently explained that the fact that Chiesa effectively missed a full pre-season is the main reason why he has not featured more at Anfield this term. He also suggested that the task is even more difficult given what he described as a difference in intensity between Serie A and the Premier League.

What Chiesa needs to do to get back into the Italy squad

The obvious answer is that Chiesa needs to put his fitness issues and recurring minor injuries behind him, which is easier said than done.

Aside from his cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in the 2020-21 season, Chiesa has often struggled with muscular injuries, which tends to impact his return to action. This is also part of the reason why Juventus took the decision not to renew his contract last season.

Secondly, he needs to start featuring regularly at club level if he wishes to be considered for national team duty.

Spalletti has opted to pick a smaller, more settled squad over the last three international breaks, which makes it slightly trickier for new faces to shoulder their way in.

A player of Chiesa’s profile, however, could come to benefit Italy in the future, as there have been suggestions that Italy lack an creative link between the midfield and Mateo Retegui in attack. The Azzurri centre-forward has struggled to make an impact in either of the last two Azzurri games against France and Belgium.

What needs to happen for Chiesa to play regularly

Breaking back into the Liverpool XI is perhaps even more of a challenge than it is to break back into the Italy set-up.

The Premier League leaders are well stocked in their attacking department, with Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota all capable of operating on the wing, while Mo Salah is the guaranteed starter on the right when available.

All five of those players are currently above the Italian in the pecking order when fit and available.

There have been recent suggestions in the Italian press that Inter could be poised to offer Chiesa a loan move in January.

Roma and Milan have also been mentioned as possible options if Liverpool were to sanction a temporary move for Anfield, but any club would need to cover a large chunk of the player’s salary at least, which reportedly stands at around €7.5m per year.