Federico Chiesa has withdrawn from Italy’s squad during the latest international window, compounding a stop-start spell at Liverpool that has seen him struggle for starts and fitness since arriving from Juventus in 2024. Managers Gennaro Gattuso and Arne Slot have both handled the situation cautiously, leaving Chiesa’s immediate playing role and long-term place in Liverpool’s forward line under fresh scrutiny.
Chiesa withdraws from Italy squad amid fitness concerns
Federico Chiesa pulled out of Italy’s World Cup qualifying play-off squad, with coach Gennaro Gattuso accepting the winger’s decision to return home because he “didn’t feel up to it.” The withdrawal is the latest blow in a campaign where Chiesa has not consistently started for Liverpool and has battled fitness and form since his move from Juventus in 2024.
What happened at club level?
Chiesa arrived at Liverpool on a four-year deal for around £12.5m and was expected to add pace and creativity to the front line. He won the Premier League in his first season but made only a handful of league appearances due to fitness setbacks. This season he has featured more often, yet most appearances have come from the bench rather than as a starter.
Managerial decisions have shaped his minutes
Arne Slot initially left Chiesa out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad, a selection decision that strained perceptions of the player’s role. Slot later included Chiesa after a defensive injury opened a roster spot, and publicly praised the forward’s work ethic despite the limited minutes. Slot’s handling suggests the club values Chiesa’s contribution but sees him as a rotational option rather than a guaranteed starter.
Coaches’ explanations and player reaction
Gattuso framed the Italy withdrawal in human terms, saying players who “don’t feel well” shouldn’t be forced to stay and that relationships and trust matter when managing wellbeing. Chiesa has responded to competition at Anfield with a team-first message, noting Liverpool’s status among the world’s top clubs and accepting the necessity of fighting for minutes.
Why this matters for Liverpool and Italy
For Liverpool, Chiesa’s situation exposes a delicate balance: a low transfer fee and a multi-year contract reduce immediate pressure to sell, but the club must decide whether to persist with him as a squad player or to seek clearer options in a window likely to see forward-line reshaping after Mohamed Salah’s imminent departure. For Italy, intermittent availability and limited club minutes complicate long-term selection plans for a player who can still influence games when fit.
Immediate implications
Chiesa’s withdrawal denies Italy a trained and familiar attacking option in the short term and slows any momentum he might have built at Liverpool. For the Reds, it underscores the need for careful load management and clearer communication about his role if they want to extract consistent value from the signing.
Outlook — what could come next
Chiesa’s contract protects Liverpool’s position financially, but sporting clarity is required. If he can string together starts and influence games regularly, his status will shift from peripheral to valuable rotation. If not, both club and player will face decisions about seeking a reset — whether through tactical adjustments, targeted rehabilitation, or transfer talk — once the current season provides a firmer performance sample.
Final take
Chiesa remains a talented, experienced international whose career at Liverpool has been uneven rather than finished. The Italy withdrawal is a setback, but not definitive.
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How Slot and the medical team manage his minutes over the coming months will determine whether this episode becomes a bump in the road or the start of a more significant reappraisal of his role at Anfield.
Mirror
