Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa is reportedly considering a potential departure from Anfield, despite joining the club just a few months ago.
The 26-year-old Italian international arrived from Juventus in August, with Liverpool securing his services for a modest fee of £10 million, plus an additional £2.5 million in potential add-ons.
This transfer, which was Liverpool’s only major signing in an otherwise quiet window, was initially viewed as a sensible, low-risk move due to Chiesa’s considerable experience in Italian football and the relatively modest fee involved.
However, Chiesa’s time in the Premier League has been difficult so far. Persistent injury troubles, which have unfortunately been a recurring issue in his career, have limited his impact since his arrival. He has made just three appearances for Liverpool, the most recent of which was in the 5-1 Carabao Cup win over West Ham United.
These limited minutes on the pitch have raised questions about his ability to adapt to English football and the physical demands of the Premier League.
As Liverpool prepared for a Champions League clash against RB Leipzig, head coach Arne Slot discussed the challenges Chiesa has faced, particularly around his adjustment to the English game.
Slot explained that Chiesa had missed the entire pre-season, which he believes has contributed significantly to his struggles. “He missed a full pre-season, which I’ve mentioned before, and is now in a league where the intensity might be even higher than Italy’s,” Slot noted before Liverpool’s 1-0 victory in Germany.
Slot further clarified that the main issue isn’t so much about transitioning between leagues as it is about the challenge of reaching Liverpool’s intensity without the foundation of pre-season preparation. “Missing a pre-season makes it hard for any player to reach the intensity levels the team is currently at, especially with the constant match schedule.”
The situation has been frustrating for both Chiesa and Liverpool’s coaching staff. Slot has expressed empathy for the player, noting how difficult it must be for Chiesa to experience recurring setbacks that prevent him from finding consistency in training and matches.
This challenging start has reportedly prompted Chiesa to consider his options, with new reports suggesting that he could even return to Italy as early as January.
According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, via FourFourTwo, Chiesa could be loaned back to Serie A, with several clubs already showing interest in taking him on a short-term basis. Inter Milan, AC Milan, and AS Roma are reportedly willing to take a “calculated” gamble on the winger, considering his proven talent and potential for recovery.
While Chiesa has largely remained quiet regarding his limited game time and struggles at Liverpool, it remains uncertain whether he is fully prepared to leave Anfield so soon after joining.
As January approaches, Chiesa and Liverpool may need to evaluate their options carefully, especially if his adjustment issues and injury concerns persist. While Liverpool took a measured approach with his transfer, there’s now a question of whether Chiesa’s stay in the Premier League could be short-lived.
A return to Italy, even on a temporary basis, might provide Chiesa with the environment he’s most comfortable in, possibly allowing him to rebuild form and confidence in familiar surroundings. However, both Chiesa and Liverpool will want to ensure that any decision made will be beneficial in the long term, both for the player’s career and the club’s roster stability.
