If you were awarded points for good chants, then Federico Chiesa would have already repaid his transfer fee handsomely. On the pitch, however, he has struggled to make an impact since joining Liverpool last summer — and the possibility of a move away is beginning to take shape.
While it's impossible not to feel sorry for Chiesa, who did not exactly get much of a chance to showcase his talents, nor do his prospects look likely to significantly improve next season. Mohamed Salah has signed an extension, and the Italian faces a thankless task in trying to take any minutes off the Egyptian King.
It remains a punt that was worth taking for Richard Hughes, with a relatively low outlay and high upside, but a transfer away from Anfield might be in everyone's best interests. And Arne Slot's first signing (make a note of that one for future pub quizzes) still has plenty of suitors, despite his tough year.
Several clubs in Italy are thought to hold an interest in Chiesa and a return to his homeland could make sense as the Liverpool winger looks to re-establish himself in the national team ahead of the World Cup.
But in Spain, it has now been claimed that Real Betis could provide an option for Chiesa as it struggles to finance a deal for Manchester United outcast Antony. Football Espana reports that La Liga could be an alternative target.
Manchester United is thought to want around £46 million (£34 million) for Antony, who has excelled while on loan with Real Betis. But the Spanish side is highly unlikely to be able to get anywhere near that valuation.
Federico Chiesa faces a big decision over his future at Liverpool this summer
Federico Chiesa faces a big decision over his future at Liverpool this summer (Image: Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
Chiesa's camp has supposedly been contacted as an alternative to Antony in case a move for the number one option doesn't prove to be possible. It remains to be seen whether or not Chiesa would be open to such a switch.
Liverpool only spent $13 million (£10 million) to bring Chiesa to Anfield and the player himself as said recently that he is happy enough at Anfield. But if the chance to play regularly came up, it is likely that he would think carefully about it.
"At the beginning, I felt the frustration of the radical change and of being far behind the group, and then there was the injury," Chiesa admitted last week. He came in after pre-season had been completed, and wasn't ever able to get up to speed.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Fanatics Official Sports Apparel — Liverpool
"Up until the match against PSG, Liverpool was ahead of everyone, in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup, and among the favorites in the Champions League, which PSG won," Chiesa, speaking toCorriere dello Sport, continued.
"Could I start to discuss the choices of Slot who has always been very respectful towards me, as well as the club? The desire to play was there, but I put it aside. I understood the situation. I put aside every form of individualism."
In a separate interview, Chiesa said that he would soon sit down and think about his future properly.
"The year is over, but it's an experience I would do again," he said. "Soon, I will sit down at the table with the club, [agent] Fali [Ramadani] and my family to find the best solution. I wouldn't mind staying in Liverpool at all."