Federico Chiesa’s move to Liverpool in the summer transfer window was one of the most talked-about deals, with the Reds securing the Italian forward for a mere €12 million. The transfer seemed like a win-win situation for all parties involved: Juventus managed to monetize his departure, Liverpool gained a potentially potent attacking option, and Chiesa had the opportunity to revitalize his career at a top-tier club.
However, Chiesa’s time at Anfield has been fraught with difficulties. His playing time has been severely limited, with only three appearances totaling 78 minutes on the pitch. This lack of involvement is partly due to ongoing fitness issues, which have become a persistent concern.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot recently addressed Chiesa’s situation in a pre-match press conference, stating, “It’s difficult to say when he’ll return. It’s frustrating for him to be in and out of training sessions. He missed the entire pre-season and then found himself in a league where the intensity is higher than in Serie A. We continue to hope he can make a significant contribution when he’s fit.”
Chiesa has been absent from the squad since early October, with no clear timeline for his return. While Liverpool is willing to be patient, there’s growing speculation about a potential change of plans. A return to Serie A, once an unlikely scenario, is now being considered as a possibility.
Despite Slot emphasizing Chiesa’s long-term contract, the reality of football economics suggests that Liverpool might need to protect their investment. A player of Chiesa’s caliber, struggling to find his place in a competitive squad and unable to adapt to the new environment, could prompt the club to consider alternative options.
Calciomercato.it report that one such option being floated is a potential loan move in January. This would allow Chiesa to regain regular playing time and rediscover his form in a more familiar setting. For Italian clubs like Inter, Milan, or Roma, who might be in the market for attacking reinforcements, Chiesa could represent a calculated risk with high potential rewards.
However, Chiesa’s substantial wages of €7.5 million per year present a challenge. Any loan deal would likely require Liverpool to subsidize a portion of his salary, with the borrowing club paying a nominal loan fee. Given the relatively low transfer fee Liverpool paid, this arrangement could be feasible.
