Liverpool: Federico Chiesa is already looking for a way out

After a tough start to the season with only four appearances in a Liverpool shirt, Federico Chiesa is looking to return to Italy on loan to revive his career.

Napoli is in a strong position to compete with other top Italian clubs, but the deal doesn’t seem straightforward. It was one of the most attractive transfers during last summer’s transfer window.

After weeks of negotiations with Juventus regarding his exit and speculation involving AC Milan, Napoli, and FC Barcelona, Federico Chiesa ultimately settled in England with Liverpool.

Arne Slot bolstered his attacking lineup with this talented addition, which already featured Mohamed Salah, Luis Díaz, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo, and Darwin Núñez.

For Federico Chiesa, this initial venture outside Italy, following his time at Fiorentina and Juventus, represented a golden chance to regain his form without the pressure after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in 2022.

However, the Italian winger has struggled to break free from the negative trend that has plagued him for several years. The Reds and the Premier League were expected to provide the spark for his comeback, but so far, Federico Chiesa has spent more time in the stands than on the pitch or even on the bench.

Arne Slot’s Perspective

“I mentioned earlier that he made it quite challenging for me, because typically in pre-season, a player participates in three, four, or five matches and is only sidelined for four or five weeks. However, he has been out for such an extended period that getting him back to his peak performance is not straightforward.

Still, it’s encouraging to see that he displayed some quality today. But just like the younger players, it’s not sufficient to just play at this level; you need to compete with Mo Salah, Cody Gakpo, Lucho, Darwin, and Diogo. Nonetheless, it’s great to see him back and having some positive moments in the game,” Arne Slot explained.

The former Juventus player continues to be somewhat of an enigma at Liverpool. In fact, since the season began, the 27-year-old has only made four appearances in total, amounting to just 123 minutes. Before stepping onto the pitch in the League Cup against Southampton, Federico Chiesa hadn’t played since the end of September.

A Return to Italy for Federico Chiesa

According to Footmercato.net, the player is eager to find playing time and a role that reflects his talent. While he may not want to leave Liverpool permanently, the Italian striker is considering a loan this winter, preferably to Italy.

Several Italian clubs have already expressed interest, with Inter Milan and Napoli leading the way as they aim to bolster their squads in the Scudetto race. Fiorentina is also keen to bring back their former player to capitalize on his impressive start to the season.

Arne Slot’s Reds view the loan positively: “I don’t know if we saw things in the same way, but I think that what I observed aligns with our expectations. If a player is out for five or six months, you shouldn’t expect too much. I’ve seen both highs and lows. There were some really good moments, but also times when I felt he could have performed better. It’s completely normal for a player to be out for so long and then play their first game after such a break,” the Dutch coach recently commented.

Federico Chiesa’s salary, approximately €7.5 million net per season, poses a significant challenge for negotiations.

Financial Considerations and Future Prospects

For an Italian club to afford Chiesa’s loan, Liverpool will need to cover part of the Italian international’s salary.

With a contract running until 30 June 2028, the striker is eager to revive his career after struggling with various physical issues that affected his start at Anfield.

The sources indicate that Luciano Spalletti, coach of the Nazionale, has encouraged the Genoese to explore the Italian market to regain his confidence and consistency, even promising him a spot back on the national team. Thus, a return to Italy appears to be the most likely outcome if Federico Chiesa departs.

As the January transfer window draws near, the upcoming weeks will be vital in shaping Chiesa’s immediate future. Should the loan deal go through, it could offer Chiesa the essential chance to revitalize his career and find his form again, possibly paving the way for a triumphant return to his peak performance.