Federico Chiesa’s move to Liverpool in the summer for £12 million has yet to pay dividends for the Premier League club. The former Juventus winger has struggled to make an impact, with his time at Anfield so far characterized by limited playing time, fitness problems, and a lack of offensive contribution.
Calciomercato report how, since joining Liverpool, Chiesa has featured in only four of the team’s nine matches, spending five games in the stands due to fitness concerns. His Premier League debut came on September 28th against Bournemouth, where he played just 18 minutes without making a significant impact. His only start came in an EFL Cup match against West Ham on September 25th, lasting 59 minutes and providing one assist before being substituted.
Chiesa’s positioning has also been different from his role at Juventus. At Liverpool, he has primarily been used as a right-winger, whereas at Juventus he often played as a second striker or on the left side of the attack. Notably, his heat map at Liverpool shows more activity in his own half, suggesting he’s been less involved in attacking plays.
Perhaps the most surprising statistic is Chiesa’s lack of successful dribbles. Known for his ability to take on defenders, he has attempted only two dribbles without success in his limited playing time. This is a stark contrast to his performances in his prime, where dribbling was a key aspect of his game.
Chiesa’s struggles have been compounded by fitness issues, with manager Arne Slot recently commenting on the uncertainty surrounding his return. “It’s difficult to say how long Chiesa will be out,” Slot said before a match against Bologna. “I don’t expect a very long stop, but he won’t be available for this match, and we’ll have to see if he can recover for Saturday. In the worst case, he’ll return after the international break.”
