Gennaro Gattuso has insisted Federico Chiesa "has a problem" after once more highlighting the Liverpool winger's continued unavailability for Italy duty.
The 28-year-old has not featured for his nation since Euro 2024. Chiesa suffered a fitness-hit debut campaign at Anfield following his switch to Liverpool, managing only six Premier League outings due to persistent injury concerns.
Nevertheless, he has secured a more regular berth under Arne Slot this term, already clocking up eight top-flight appearances and 12 matches across all competitions. Having contributed two strikes and three assists, Gattuso has been keen to bring Chiesa back into the Italy fold since taking charge as national boss in June.
Yet the Reds attacker has turned down selections for the September, October, and November international windows to remain at Liverpool and work on his game.
Gattuso faced fresh questions about Chiesa's status following Italy's World Cup qualifying playoff draw against Northern Ireland at home.
The manager said that any return remains entirely the player's choice, stressing that Chiesa's prolonged absence stems from his own decisions rather than any managerial preference. "You know it well. You know Chiesa’s problem," he told Sky Sports Italia.
Gennaro Gattuso wants to select Chiesa
Gennaro Gattuso wants to select Chiesa (Image: Getty Images)
"You always ask me the same thing. I call Chiesa in every call-up; I always talk to him. The problem is not Gattuso or his staff; he has a problem, not us. You know it well. You always ask the same thing, and I always answer the same."
Meanwhile, Italy's World Cup winner Francesco Graziani has emphasised the importance of Chiesa to the Azzurri's hopes of qualifying for next summer's World Cup.
“We will qualify for the World Cup, but in this team, there are no champions,” the 1982 World Cup told Tuttosport. “Even though it’s made of excellent players, we are missing world-class talents such as Del Piero or Totti. Chiesa absolutely needs to be recovered."
Chiesa has earned 51 caps for Italy, netting seven goals, and was the team's standout performer during their victorious European Championships campaign in 2021.
Despite featuring more regularly for Liverpool this season, his playing time has been somewhat restricted, with his only two starts coming in the League Cup.
As a result, Chiesa has been rumored to be considering a January move, although he has previously stated publicly that he wishes to remain at Anfield.
Gattuso had earlier disclosed that the forward had turned down an international call-up ahead of the October international break because he did not feel at 100 percent and wanted to regain full fitness before rejoining the Italy squad.
While it's still uncertain whether he'll have to make a decision about his future in January, with Liverpool also reportedly interested in AFC Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo, Chiesa's international commitment will once again be under scrutiny in 2026 if he decides to play for Italy in the World Cup next summer.