Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa has responded to the possibility of joining AC Milan and working with Massimiliano Allegri again.
It was a bittersweet 2024-25 campaign for Chiesa following his rather surprising move to Liverpool. While he claimed a Premier League winner’s medal he did not get much playing time under Arne Slot in what was a difficult first year in England.
This has led to suggestions that a return to Italy could be on the cards for the winger, and Milan are one of the teams that are linked before every transfer window, even going back to his Fiorentina days. This time, though, it could be the right moment.
Chiesa fuels exit rumours
Chiesa sat down for an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport in which he spoke at length about his first season with Liverpool, but also answered some questions about the idea of coming back to his home country.
What is your assessment of your first year abroad, in which you played little but won the Premier League?
“Positive because you don’t win a Premier League every day. There’s the disappointment of not having played enough, but you have to look at the year as a whole: winning is always nice.
“I was missing an experience abroad, after Florence I had only moved to Turin. Living in a different culture and context made me grow as a man. I’m proud of what I’ve done.”
Federico Chiesa of Liverpool FC
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Are the Premier League, Liverpool and Anfield what you imagined?
“Everyone talks about the intensity of the Premier League but I’ve also seen remarkable quality. I’ve played with phenomenal players and in almost all the teams here there are strong and important players, even in the second tier.
“What struck me about Liverpool was the passion of the fans, the atmosphere at Anfield is something unique. Salah is impressive, Ballon d’Or-worthy.”
Slot thinks like Allegri, who at Juventus saw you more as a striker than a winger. Do you think you have more of a future as a striker like your father?
“With Allegri I played as a second striker all season and I scored my goals, Slot also decided to try me there and I’m happy. If two winning coaches saw in me the potential to play as a striker it means I can do it.”
What is your relationship with Slot and how would you describe it to an Italian who doesn’t know him well?
“He reminds me of Allegri in terms of his winning mentality, but coming from Holland he has a different methodology. Everyone thought he might struggle, but instead he proved to be a great coach with modern football ideas. We deservedly won the Premier League.”
Do you regret leaving Juve?
“No, why should I?”
How did your farewell to the Bianconeri come about?
“I was never offered a renewal, there were contacts to talk about it after the European Championship but no one ever got back to me.
“When I returned after the holidays and the wedding I immediately spoke to Thiago Motta, who told me straight away: ‘You’re not part of the project, find yourself a team’. However, I feel great affection for Juve and the fans.”
Were the months out of the squad a humiliation?
“No, because I trained with other players who were in the same situation as me. They were clear from day one, they made me work for two weeks with the team, then Motta didn’t want me anymore.
“I’m a professional, I accepted and I continued to train to find another team. It was a great disappointment because I care a lot about Juventus and I thought I could still give a lot.”
Would you have expected more respect?
“I was at Juventus for four years and I always behaved well, but it was their choice. As an outsider I was able to train in the best conditions, but I missed the friendlies. At Liverpool I had to start from scratch and this penalised me.”
In order to play consistently for Italy, are you thinking of returning, perhaps to Milan?
“It will be a topic to address in the summer. My agent, my family and I have an excellent relationship with Liverpool. The aim is to be ready for the meeting, we will look for the best solution for everyone.”
Federico Chiesa Liverpool
Can Allegri at Milan be an assist for you?
“A lot has been said but I have great respect for Max: he has given me a lot, last year I started off strong. He is a winner, for Milan it is a great choice. He made me understand that I could be a second striker, broadening my horizons.
“Sousa made me debut in Serie A and with Mancini I reached the highest point at the European Championship, but Allegri has given me a lot in terms of personal growth and way of playing.”
How long has it been since you heard from him?
“He called me in September to wish me good luck with Liverpool. It was really nice.”
Is Juventus a closed chapter or would you return, even on loan?
“Never say never.”
What is your dream for 2025-26?
“I hope it’s my season, my dream is to participate in the World Cup. I played and won a European Championship, the World Cup would be the best.”