Liverpool: Federico Chiesa expresses happiness amid speculation over future
Federico Chiesa, the Italian forward, has affirmed his contentment at Liverpool, despite ongoing discussions about his future with the club. His declaration follows a period of speculation regarding his role and potential departure from Anfield.
Chiesa joined Liverpool from Juventus in 2024 for a fee of £12.5 million, with his contract extending until 2028. Over two seasons under former manager Arne Slot, he started only one Premier League game and recorded five goals across 50 appearances in all competitions.
A new chapter under Iraola
The 28-year-old forward recently scored in the first friendly match under new manager Andoni Iraola, where Liverpool secured a 4-2 victory against Sunderland in Nashville. This performance appears to have provided a morale boost for Chiesa as a new era begins at the club.
Following the match, Chiesa told reporters, “Right now, at the moment, I am happy here at Liverpool. I love the club, I love the fans, I love everything.” He further added, “I am doing the best I can to have a chance here – and then we will see. At the minute, the only thing I am thinking about is Liverpool.”
This statement clarifies his current focus, despite earlier remarks in June to La Gazzetta dello Sport where he indicated, “If I don’t find consistency in the Premier League, I’ll have to look elsewhere.”
When questioned about whether Iraola’s appointment in June, following Slot’s dismissal, represented a fresh start, Chiesa acknowledged the cyclical nature of new seasons. “I don’t know – it is difficult to say. It is always a fresh start at the beginning of the year,” he commented.
He also reflected on past seasons, noting, “Maybe there have been too many fresh starts. But I don’t care, I am trying to do my best for this new manager. Last season under Arne Slot, I was trying to do my best too.”
Reflecting on past seasons and future hopes
Chiesa expressed his belief that he was prepared for a more significant role in the previous season. “Last year, I felt ready for a bigger role, then it depended on the coach whether he wanted me to play or not. Of course I wanted to play more but it is what it is,” he explained.
He maintained respect for the coaching decisions made by Slot. “The gaffer decided to do so, he had his gameplans, he took his decisions, I have nothing to say about that. It is football,” Chiesa stated. He views the current season as a new chapter, emphasizing his need to concentrate on working with the new manager.
The Italian international has been linked with a return to Italy, with clubs like Como and his former team Juventus reportedly showing interest. However, Chiesa’s current priority is to establish himself at Liverpool.
He also touched upon the club’s performance last season, which saw them secure Champions League qualification on the final day. Chiesa believes Liverpool deserves more, recalling their status as Premier League champions two years prior. He noted that battling for fifth place, which secured their Champions League spot, was fortunate given the usual qualification criteria.
Chiesa hopes to reclaim his position in the national team, having missed out on recent squads. He mentioned discussions with former national team manager Gattuso, indicating that physical readiness was an issue at the time. He looks forward to representing his country again, having previously won the European Championship with the national team.
His focus remains on contributing to Liverpool’s success in the upcoming season, aiming for improved performances in both the Premier League and the Champions League after their exit to PSG last season.
Chiesa has not discussed his future with Iraola beyond tactical conversations, specifically mentioning that the new manager positioned him as a striker against Sunderland.
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Source: bbc.com
