Chiesa reveals Spalletti’s Italy call and includes Liverpool star in ‘Ideal XI’ | OneFootball

Federico Chiesa was glad Luciano Spalletti called him in March and feels Mohamed Salah has reached a ‘Ballon d’Or level.’

The Italian winger gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport, discussing his first season at Liverpool and his future at the club.

He insisted that he wants to be ready for the start of the pre-season at the beginning of July, but at the same time, he refused to rule out a return to Serie A.

During the interview, Chiesa also spoke about the incident during the Liverpool title parade at the end of May in which 109 people were injured.

“I feel very close to the victims, and I also want to send a message to those who were involved in last week’s incident during the Liverpool parade,” he said.

“Something very bad happened during what should have been a celebration.”

Chiesa won the Premier League with the Reds in his first season at the club.

“It’s a positive feeling. It doesn’t happen every day to win the Premier League,” he said.

“There is some regret about not having played more, but you have to look at the season as a whole. Winning is always beautiful. I was missing an experience abroad, after Florence, I had only moved to Turin. Living in a different culture and environment helped me grow as a person. I’m proud of what I’ve done.”

Chiesa feels Salah deserves Ballon d’Or

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 02: Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between Liverpool FC and Bologna FC 1909 at Anfield on October 02, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

The Italian struggled with playing time, primarily due to physical issues, but also because of competition from Egyptian star Salah. Chiesa has already shared the dressing room with some big names in football, including the Liverpool ace and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“I think Salah has reached a Ballon d’Or level this year. Cristiano has won five, and that’s where the difference lies. Momo had a sensational season and deserves recognition. I’d put them both in my dream XI; they’d score 80 goals per season together,” the Italian noted.

How about the Italy national team? Chiesa hasn’t played for the Azzurri since last summer’s Euros. Has he spoken to Italy boss Spalletti recently?

“The last time was in March. He called to check how I was doing and how the season was going. I appreciated it,” Chiesa said.

“He wanted to call me up in September, but I had physical problems due to the lack of preparation at Juventus and couldn’t go.”

Chiesa makes Italy World Cup admission

epa11387933 Federico Chiesa of Italy attends a training session in Coverciano, Florence, 03 June 2024. The jersey that the players wear in today’s training bears the words ‘We are all 10’, the number that distinguished the great Italian fantasists Francesco Totti, Roberto Baggio, Alessandro Del Piero, Giancarlo Antognoni and Gianni Rivera. The initiative, which stems from an idea of coach Luciano Spalletti, is aimed at ‘to absorb the belonging and importance of the Italian National team jersey to the players’. Italy will face Turkey on 04 June in their international friendly soccer match in preparations for the UEFA EURO 2024 that will be held in Germany starting on 14 June. EPA-EFE/CLAUDIO GIOVANNINI

Does he miss more Serie A or the Azzurri?

“The national team, wearing that jersey, is incredible,” he replied.

Does he feel forgotten by Italian football?

“No, I had a Premier League season without playing much, but it happens. A lot was due to preparation and needing to adapt,” Chiesa argued.

“I have everything it takes to get back to my best.

“Not doing the [2024-25] pre-season affected me. I spoke to my teammates, and it was really tough. For the first six months, we were running three times faster than the others, and I had Salah in front of me. Still, I feel like a Liverpool player, and the club believes in me. That’s why they signed me.”

What’s his target for 2025-26?

“I hope it will be my season, my dream is to play in the World Cup. I played and won the Euros, and the World Cup would be the ultimate goal.

“I want to beat my league record of 10 and my total of 15. I know I can do even better. I am an optimist, and I want to surpass myself.”