Federico Chiesa's future at Liverpool remains solid amid rumors of potential loan moves back to Italy, as confirmed by his agent, Fali Ramadani. Following his transfer from Juventus, speculation has swirled around the Italian winger due to limited playing time this season.
Chiesa, who joined Liverpool for around £12.5 million just four months ago, has faced significant challenges since his arrival. Available stats indicate he has only managed to feature four times, with 123 minutes of action overall across all competitions. His situation at Anfield has prompted murmurs of frustration and uncertainty about his career at the club.
Recent reports highlighted claims of negotiations between Liverpool and Napoli concerning a potential loan deal for Chiesa, but Ramadani has decisively refuted these notions. He firmly stated, "Napoli did not negotiate a contract with Chiesa from Liverpool in the winter period, and the club has no intention of dispensing with the player. The player is continuing with Liverpool and is seeking the opportunity to participate in the coming period. This is what I can confirm now." This stance showcases Chiesa's determination to fight for his place and make the most of the opportunities he hopes will come his way.
The lack of significant minutes on the pitch has naturally been influenced by various factors. Firstly, Chiesa has experienced injuries and fitness issues which have hindered his ability to join fully with the squad. Missing out on the pre-season preparation with Juventus has meant Chiesa had to adapt rapidly to the high intensity of the Premier League, as pointed out by Liverpool manager Arne Slot.
“That hasn’t gone through my mind at all,” Slot said when questioned about any plans to let Chiesa go. He emphasized the need for Chiesa to regain fitness before making any decisive moves on his future. “I think the first and foremost is he gets fit again and then we can see where he is,” he added.
Despite the initial setback, Chiesa's return to training has been positive. He made his first competitive appearance after injury during the Carabao Cup match against Southampton, where he came off the bench at halftime. While he has yet to get back to full match sharpness, Slot expressed confidence: “He definitely is getting stronger, but he’s also facing a lot of competition on the right wing.”
The competition for places, especially with established players like Mohamed Salah practically cemented on the right flank, leaves Chiesa with the challenge of proving his value and getting consistent game time. His struggle is not just one of physicality; there are reports indicating he may also be struggling with homesickness and adapting to the English climate and football culture.
Chiesa's ambitions to solidify his position reflect his quality, demonstrated during his productive past spells at Juventus and Fiorentina. Liverpool appears committed to helping him find his feet instead of allowing him to leave prematurely. Support from both the club management and the player’s side indicates they believe patience will pay off, allowing Chiesa the time he needs to adjust and showcase his abilities.
With fixtures building up for Liverpool, including noteworthy domestic cup matches, opportunities for Chiesa may arise soon. Notably, Liverpool's upcoming FA Cup match against Accrington Stanley could be his chance to make an impact and potentially stretch his minutes on the field.
While fans anticipated early exits for players like Chiesa — who haven’t set the pitch ablaze since their arrival — the conclusion from both the agent and the coaching staff remains consistent. There are no imminent departures expected as Liverpool seeks to maintain squad depth and nurture talent silently developing behind the scenes.
The word from Liverpool's camp is clear: they envision Chiesa as part of their long-term plans. Only time will tell if he can translate his potential on the pitch and help the club secure its ambition for the season.