Federico Chiesa: Gennaro Gattuso tells Liverpool struggler to push for more minutes amid Napoli links | OneFootball

The Italian last appeared for his nation at Euro 2024

Newly appointed Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso told Federico Chiesa that he must be playing regular football if he wants to return to the national camp.

His fortunes could soon change under Gattuso, though. The Italian, an accomplished player and former manager of AC Milan, Napoli, and Marseille, was announced as Luciano Spalletti’s replacement this week and will be tasked with qualifying for the 2026 World Cup after failing to reach the last two editions of the tournament, a goal he described as ‘fundamental’.

Capo: Gennaro Gattuso takes the reigns of the Italian national team

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Speaking at his unveiling, Gattuso instructed Chiesa to find consistent playing time as he chases another call-up ahead of the World Cup, obliquely pushing him towards the rumoured Napoli opening.

“In these days, I called 35 players [who did not make the squad], I spoke to everyone,” he said. “Even Chiesa, whom I told to play consistently.

“There are players who have been out but who can lend a hand. The pitch speaks: if you do things well, the doors of the national team are open.

“When you feel alone on the pitch, it becomes hard. We have to be able to change this, to help each other and say the things that some don’t want to hear.”

Outlining his plans for the side, Gattuso committed to challenging the defeatist narrative which has followed the Azzurri for so many years.

“It won’t be an easy task, but nothing in life is easy. There’s little to say, you have to work.

“For years it has been said that we don’t have players. I believe that we just need to get into their heads to make them perform at their best.

“My goal and that of the staff will be to bring Italy back to the World Cup, which is fundamental for us.”

Gattuso has added legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon to his coaching staff as he looks to return Italy to its glory days.