From Euro Glory to Anfield Exit: Federico Chiesa's Shocking Liverpool Downfall After Just One Season

The Shocking Reality of Chiesa's Liverpool Struggle

When Federico Chiesa arrived at Liverpool in August 2024 for £10 million from Juventus, expectations were sky-high. The Euro 2020 hero, who had tormented England's defense in the final and was named in UEFA's Team of the Tournament, was supposed to add depth and quality to Arne Slot's attacking arsenal. Yet, just one year later, the 27-year-old Italian finds himself on the exit door, having been excluded from Liverpool's pre-season tour squad to Asia.

The writing was on the wall when Liverpool announced their 29-man squad for the Hong Kong and Japan tour, with Chiesa conspicuously absent. While the club cited a 'minor fitness issue' as the reason for his omission, insiders suggest this is merely a diplomatic way of managing his departure. The Italian winger has become surplus to requirements at Anfield, a shocking fall from grace for a player who once lit up European football.

Chiesa's Liverpool nightmare began almost immediately after his arrival. Despite showing glimpses of his quality in training and friendly matches, he struggled to adapt to the Premier League's intensity and Slot's tactical demands. His limited playing time became a source of frustration, not just for the player but for fans who remembered his electrifying performances for Italy during their European Championship triumph.

The Numbers Don't Lie: A Season of Missed Opportunities

The statistics paint a damning picture of Chiesa's Liverpool career. In his debut season, he managed just 14 appearances across all competitions, with only 395 minutes of total playing time. His Premier League appearances were even more limited - just six games with a mere 104 minutes on the pitch, never once starting a league match. This is particularly striking for a player who was expected to provide competition for the likes of Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, and Diogo Jota.

Chiesa's goal return of two goals and two assists across all competitions tells the story of a player who never found his rhythm at Anfield. His most memorable moment came in the EFL Cup final against Newcastle United, where he scored as a substitute in the 74th minute during a 2-1 defeat. However, even this goal couldn't mask the reality that he had fallen well down the pecking order under Slot's management.

The contrast with his previous career is stark. At Fiorentina, Chiesa had been a consistent performer, registering 34 goals and 26 assists in 153 appearances. Even during his difficult spell at Juventus, where injuries hampered his progress, he managed 32 goals and 23 assists in 131 games. At Liverpool, however, he seemed unable to recapture that form, leading to speculation about his fitness, confidence, and suitability for English football.

Slot's Tactical Vision Leaves Chiesa Behind

Arne Slot's arrival as Liverpool manager marked a new tactical era at Anfield, but one that ultimately didn't suit Chiesa's playing style. The Dutch coach implemented a more structured, possession-based approach that required wingers to contribute heavily in both phases of play. While Chiesa possessed the technical ability to excel in such a system, his injury-disrupted preparation and lack of match fitness meant he never got the consistent run of games needed to adapt.

Speaking about Chiesa in April 2025, Slot acknowledged the player's quality but couldn't guarantee increased playing time. 'I didn't see a lot of him during training sessions because we had so many games and he was injured more than he and we wanted,' Slot explained. 'It's a competition with Mo Salah, and you can't deny that Mo has had quite a good season. Sometimes that can make it tough for him, but we know we can trust him.'

The manager's comments revealed the fundamental issue: Chiesa was competing with players in exceptional form. Salah's continued brilliance on the right wing, combined with the emergence of other attacking options, meant that opportunities were scarce. Even Darwin Nunez, despite his own inconsistencies, remained ahead of Chiesa in the pecking order, highlighting just how far the Italian had fallen in the manager's estimation.

Liverpool's Summer Spending Spree Seals Chiesa's Fate

Liverpool's record-breaking summer transfer activity has effectively sealed Chiesa's fate at Anfield. The club's acquisition of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for a club-record £116 million, followed by the £79 million signing of Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, has transformed their attacking options. These signings represent a clear statement of intent from the Liverpool hierarchy and leave no room for peripheral players like Chiesa.

Wirtz, at just 22, represents everything Liverpool hope to achieve in the coming years. The German playmaker's versatility and ability to play across multiple attacking positions make him a perfect fit for Slot's system. His arrival, combined with the continued presence of established stars like Salah and Diaz, pushes Chiesa even further down the hierarchy.

The signing of Ekitike as a new number nine adds another dimension to Liverpool's attack, providing the clinical finishing that the team sometimes lacked last season. With these high-profile, expensive additions, Liverpool's commitment to their new signings means that fringe players will inevitably be moved on. Chiesa, despite his pedigree, has become an unfortunate casualty of the club's ambitious recruitment strategy.

Serie A Clubs Circle as Italy Calls Chiesa Home

Multiple Italian clubs have expressed interest in Chiesa's services, with Napoli leading the charge according to recent reports. The Partenopei had already made contact with Liverpool over a potential deal more than a month ago, and their interest remains strong as they look to strengthen their attacking options. Other Serie A giants including Atalanta, Inter Milan, AC Milan, and even his former club Juventus have been mentioned as potential destinations.

Atalanta are reportedly willing to pay €12 million if Liverpool 'contribute substantially to his salary,' while offering Chiesa a three-year contract. This arrangement would suit all parties - Liverpool would recoup a portion of their investment, Chiesa would get regular playing time, and Atalanta would add proven quality to their squad. The financial structure of such deals reflects the reality that Chiesa's value has diminished due to his lack of playing time at Liverpool.

Italy national team coach Gennaro Gattuso has made it clear that Chiesa needs regular football to feature in his future plans. 'Even Chiesa, to whom I told to play consistently. They are players who have been out but who can lend a hand. But the pitch speaks: if you do things well, the doors of the national team are open,' Gattuso stated. This pressure from the national team setup adds urgency to Chiesa's need for a move this summer.

The Cultural Context: Understanding Chiesa's Premier League Struggle

Chiesa's difficulties at Liverpool highlight the challenges that even elite players can face when adapting to a new league and culture. The Premier League's unique demands - its pace, physicality, and tactical complexity - have proven problematic for the Italian, who had excelled in Serie A's more tactical, methodical environment. His injury history, which includes a serious ACL injury suffered while at Juventus, may have contributed to his struggles with the Premier League's relentless intensity.

For international fans, particularly those familiar with Chiesa's Euro 2020 performances, his Liverpool struggles serve as a reminder that individual brilliance doesn't always translate across different footballing contexts. The Italian's pace, dribbling ability, and eye for goal that made him a standout performer for his country seemed diminished in the Premier League environment, where he often appeared a step behind the pace of the game.

The situation also reflects broader trends in modern football, where clubs are increasingly willing to cut their losses on signings that don't immediately deliver. Liverpool's approach, while ruthless, demonstrates the financial and competitive pressures that drive decision-making at the highest level. Chiesa's departure, should it materialize, would represent not just a personal setback but a cautionary tale about the unpredictable nature of football transfers.