Italy players in Premier League: Two thrashings, Chiesa opportunity | OneFootball

Two Italy internationals were involved in 4-0 and 5-0 victories in the Premier League over the weekend, while Federico Chiesa returned to the matchday squad for just the third time in the Premier League.

Here is how the Italy internationals in the Premier League got on this weekend.

Two Italy players involved in Premier League thrashings

Destiny Udogie lined up as a starter in Tottenham’s 5-0 victory over Southampton, which turned out to be Saints coach Russel Martin’s last game in charge of the opposition.

Udogie played for just shy of an hour, earning an average rating of 7/10 from the English press, and was involved in Spurs’s fourth goal of the night, which came after he made an important tackle out on the left flank.

Sandro Tonali and his Newcastle team were also involved in a comfortable victory over the weekend, as they inflicted a 4-0 defeat upon struggling Leicester City.

The Italy international starred in a deep-lying midfield role, often drifting out to the right hand side of the pitch. He also came close to scoring as well, hitting a nice volley into the side netting in the second half.

Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United on the ball during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Leicester City FC at St James’ Park on December 14, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Leicester’s Caleb Okoli was not a starter against Newcastle, but he did appear off the bench as a second-half substitute.

Opportunities for Chiesa at Liverpool

Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw by Fulham on Saturday, although they did play for over 80 minutes with 10 men after Andy Robertson’s early dismissal.

Though he didn’t come on, there was a space on the bench for Federico Chiesa for the first time in the Premier League since September. It was, in fact, only the third time he has appeared in a Premier League matchday squad.

Liverpool coach Arne Slot has confirmed that Chiesa is set to earn more minutes on Wednesday evening when Liverpool face managerless Southampton in the EFL Cup.

Italy international Federico Chiesa in training with Liverpool ahead of Champions League League Phase game against Milan.

That will be just his fourth appearance in any competition since Italy’s EURO 2024 exit just shy of six months ago.

Which other Italy players played in the Premier League this weekend?

The answer: Not too many this week. Jorginho came off the bench in the second half of Arsenal’s lacklustre 0-0 draw with Everton at the start of the weekend, but Riccardo Calafiori was out of the matchday squad after his latest injury set-back.

Tottenham and Italy goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario remains out injured long-term after fracturing his ankle against Manchester City in November.

Emerson Palmieri was not involved in the squad for West Ham’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on Monday evening as he sat out to serve his one-match suspension after picking up his fifth booking of the season.

Cesare Casadei, once again, was not picked for the matchday squad by Enzo Maresca, whose Chelsea side are now second and just two points off the lead of the Premier League table.