Chiesa ‘on his way’ as latest Liverpool setback emerges – Exclusive
Federico Chiesa has endured a nightmare at Liverpool since joining last summer.
The Italian winger moved to Anfield in a £12.5million deal from Juventus but struggled to make an impact for the Premier League champions.
He failed to win over Arne Slot and featured just six times in the title-winning campaign as a result.
He has been constantly linked with a return to his homeland, and that may be a possibility after the latest setback.
Chiesa snubbed as Liverpool squad named
Chiesa has been left out of Liverpool’s 29-man squad that will travel to Hong Kong and Japan for the pre-season tour.
That has led to speculation on his future, but Athletic journalist James Pearce (20 July) clarified that it is a fitness issue that has kept him from travelling.
Iconic commentator Ian Darke believes that Chiesa will be sold this summer, as he has been unable to forge out a role.
Speaking exclusively to Liverpool News, he said: “I don’t really think he has got a first-team future at Anfield, I think if he stays at Liverpool, he will just get minutes here and there like he did last season.
“Sadly, that is the case, because if you go back three or four years, he was regarded as a real superstar.
“His career has gone in a downward spiral since then, for one reason or another, he is surplus to requirements really.
“I think any kind of offer that made financial sense to the club, I think he would be on his way.”
Liverpool situation is strange for Chiesa
Chiesa came to Liverpool having not had a proper pre-season with the Serie A outfit and having to get back to fitness.
He failed to do so, for most of the campaign, suffered numerous setbacks, but there was hope that he could put that behind him and avoid a repeat this time around.
However, it seems like he will not get a chance, which is bizarre because he featured in the 5-0 behind-closed-doors friendly against Stoke, scoring in the second half after Darwin Nunez had notched a hat-trick and Rio Ngumoha had bagged one.
However, just hours later, he is out of the pre-season tour with injury, it is a very strange situation.
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