Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa is “returning to Italy” at some point in the near future, according to a new claim from journalist Emanuele Cammaroto.
The 28-year-old’s Reds career hasn’t taken off since joining from Juventus in the summer of 2024, with injuries not helping his progress and signs that he is past his best.
Chiesa is again sidelined and is expected to be out for another few weeks, and it seems clear that Andoni Iraola doesn’t consider him an important part of Liverpool’s future under him.
Speaking on Radio Punto Zero [via Anfield Watch], Italian journalist Cammaroto talked up the idea of the attacker heading back to his homeland soon, in order to enjoy another challenge in his career:
“I’m getting signs right now that Federico Chiesa is returning to Italy, and it could be the right time. He wants to find some playing time, in January, his team might offer him to some Italian clubs, including Napoli.”
Federico Chiesa is lovable, but has no future at Liverpool
There is no denying Chiesa’s likeability as a character, with the Italian such a great team player whose passion and permanent smile make him popular among Liverpool supporters.
The winger isn’t quite the player he was, due to the aforementioned injuries, but his qualities are clear, as highlighted by praised handed to him by Alessandro Pierini in the past when he was thriving for Italy during Euro 2020:
“He’s world-class. He has all the ability and desire of a great player. If he improves then he’ll be even better than his father [Enrico]. I have loads of respect for Enrico and all he has done to help Federico come on as a player until now.”
Despite this, and Chiesa’s lingering ability to be a match-winner, it makes complete sense for Liverpool to sell him when the January transfer window opens.
The Reds won’t get much money for him, but keeping hold of a player who is rarely available and offers little doesn’t make much sense, and joining an Italian club would ultimately be better for him than staying at Anfield, allowing him to be a regular elsewhere.