Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa could move on this summer with clubs in Italy interested in bringing him back to his homeland — and a warning has been sent by new Italy national team boss Gennaro Gattuso.
Gattuso, who took over from Luciano Spalletti, the former Napoli coach who was fired during the last round of internationals, has warned Chiesa that he needs to be playing regularly this season. The 26-year-old was not in his country's most recent squad, with the World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada coming up next summer.
"In these days I called 30 or 35 players and I had a chat with all of them," Gattuso said during an introductory press conference. "There are players who have been out at the moment because they have very specific characteristics and can give a hand.
"But you have to let the green rectangle speak and when it says that things have been done well, the doors of the national team are open. To Chiesa, for example, I said this: that he must find a way to play with continuity, and this applies to everyone."
According to Football Italia, Chiesa will leave Liverpool this summer, and he has two options — both in Serie A — to choose from as things stand. Napoli is interested, as is AC Milan.
Given he only cost $13 million (£10 million) to sign from Juventus a year ago, it was a risk worth taking for Liverpool. But the player often didn't even make the matchday squad under Slot, and his chances to impress were extremely limited.
Federico Chiesa and Darwin Nunez of Liverpool
Federico Chiesa and Darwin Nunez of Liverpool (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
"The year is over, but it's an experience I would do again," Chiesa insisted earlier this month. He did, though, admit that he would have a decision to make over his future.
"Soon, I will sit down at the table with the club, [agent] Fali [Ramadani] and my family to find the best solution," he said. "But I wouldn't mind staying in Liverpool at all."
He also spoke positively about his experience during the title parade. "I'm so proud of the team," he said. "When I first came here, they immediately made me feel like part of the team, they supported me during the tough time I had this year.
"I have to thank them all. I am their teammate. I'm one of the boys. Even in training, I tried to give my best."
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Since then, though, speculation has increased that Chiesa could be on the way out. And with Florian Wirtz arriving, the competition for places in the Liverpool attack will only further ramp up.
Liverpool.com says: No one will complain if Chiesa sticks around for another year and tries to break into the Liverpool team. He certainly has the talent if he can get a sustained opportunity.
However, with the World Cup coming up to think about, the safest bet for him is to move back to Italy. At Napoli or AC Milan, he would be at a big club with a good coach in either Antonio Conte or Max Allegri, who he knows well.