Chiesa’s Ambitions at Anfield
Federico Chiesa has expressed his desire for a “new chapter” at Liverpool under new head coach Andoni Iraola, following a period of limited playing time under Arne Slot. The forward indicated that he is focused on proving himself to the new manager rather than seeking a return to Serie A.
Chiesa, who has two years remaining on his contract with Liverpool, stated, “Right now, at the moment, I am happy here at Liverpool. I love the club, I love the fans, I love everything.” He added that he is doing his best to secure an opportunity at the club. The Italy international’s comments came after he scored the third goal in Liverpool‘s 4-2 friendly victory over Sunderland in Nashville on Saturday.
Despite being linked with a return to his homeland, with clubs like Como and former club Juventus reportedly interested, Chiesa is not actively pushing for a transfer. He views Iraola’s appointment as a fresh start, hoping for a change in his fortunes as a Liverpool player.
Reflecting on Past Season and Future Goals
During Arne Slot‘s tenure, Chiesa made 36 appearances last season, but only five of these were starts. He started just one Premier League game, even amidst attacking issues for Liverpool due to injuries to Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitiké. His last start came in the FA Cup fourth-round win against Brighton on 14 February.
The 28-year-old attacker acknowledged his previous frustration, stating, “Last year I felt ready for a bigger role, then it depended on the coach whether he wanted me to play or not. Of course I wanted to play more but it is what it is.” He emphasized his focus on the present, noting, “This year, let us say it is a new chapter. There is a new manager and I have to focus on that.”
Chiesa has not yet discussed his long-term future with Iraola, with conversations primarily revolving around tactical aspects. He mentioned, “The only conversations I had were about pressing and tactics. He put me striker against Sunderland and he wants me there.” He also noted that he has played his entire career as a winger but is content to play as a striker.
Club Ambitions and National Team Hopes
Liverpool secured Champions League qualification on the final day of a challenging season in May, which also marked Arne Slot‘s final game in charge. Chiesa believes the club deserves more than battling for fifth place, stating, “Liverpool deserves more. Two years ago, we were Premier League champions. Last year, we almost went out of the Champions League spots.” He described their qualification as “lucky” and stressed the need for significant improvement in the upcoming season, both in the Premier League and the Champions League.
Beyond his club aspirations, Chiesa also hopes to regain his place in the Italy national team. He has not added to his 51 caps for Italy since Euro 2024. The national team is currently searching for a new head coach after failing to qualify for the World Cup under Gennaro Gattuso.
Chiesa explained that his absence from recent squads was due to not being physically ready at the time of discussions with Gattuso. He suffered an injury in March after returning to fitness. He remains eager to play for his country, having previously won the European Championship with the national team.
The forward’s performance against Sunderland, where he also created two chances, made a tackle, a block, won a duel, and made a clearance off the line, highlights his continued efforts to impress the new management.
Source: theguardian.com
As News-UK's Sports News Writer, Oscar Pennington reports on rugby union, golf and boxing for readers across the country. He built a reputation for sharp explainer pieces on regional sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Nottingham Trent University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Oscar lives in Nottingham, where he follows the pro golf tour and amateur boxing. “Context is what turns a result into a story.”
