Federico Chiesa has been told it might that leaving Liverpool this summer could be the best thing for his career.
The Italian forward moved to Anfield last August in what was viewed as an opportunistic purchase by the Reds, but he failed to revive his career during his first season with the club.
Chiesa lined up just once in the Premier League and once in the Champions League, and both games were effectively dead rubbers: the league start came when the title had already been wrapped up, while the European start came in Liverpool's final league-phase game.
Arne Slot emphasized throughout the season that Chiesa was finding it difficult to break through because he faced the task of taking Mohamed Salah's place in the team. Salah is Liverpool's talisman and is rarely rested — primarily because he doesn't want to be.
Heskey believes it might be the best outcome for all parties this month if Chiesa continues his career elsewhere. "Federico Chiesa is in a tough spot," Heskey told Prime Casino.
"I watched him play well at Southampton away in the cup, and I was really impressed. I didn’t understand why he didn’t get too many chances. On the other hand, some players just don’t fit the system of what the manager ends up going with.
"I don’t think he’s done a whole lot wrong, but I don’t know if it’s a great idea for him to stay on. He’s got to think of himself, think of what he wants from his career.
"We can look at how the club used him, if he should have got more chances. He’s technically very gifted, but if he doesn’t fit in, he shouldn’t be staying at a club and warming the bench.
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He’s an Italy international, and he’ll get more chances somewhere else. Moving on could well be the right move for him."
Chiesa, meanwhile, said earlier this month that he would be happy to continue his career at Liverpool next season. H
e told Italian media: “The year is over. But it’s an experience I would do again. Soon I will sit down at the table with the club, Fali (Ramadani, his agent) and my family to find the best solution. I wouldn’t mind staying in Liverpool at all.”
The 27-year-old played down suggestions that he is on the brink of leaving. “I read that they placed me everywhere, but I had no direct contact with anyone,” Chiesa added.