Chiesa’s Ambitions at Anfield
Federico Chiesa, the Liverpool forward, has expressed his desire for a “new chapter” at the club under new head coach Andoni Iraola. This comes after a period of frustration for Chiesa under former manager Arne Slot, where he struggled for regular playing time. Despite making 36 appearances last season, only five of these were starts, with his last Premier League start occurring in an FA Cup fourth-round victory against Brighton on 14 February.
Chiesa, who scored in Liverpool’s 4-2 friendly win against Sunderland in Nashville, hopes that the change in management will lead to a more prominent role. He stated that it is “always a fresh start at the beginning of the year” and that he is focused on doing his best for the new manager. The Italy international acknowledged that he felt ready for a larger role last season but understood that playing time depended on the coach’s decisions and game plans.
The 28-year-old joined Liverpool from Juventus in August 2024. He has not yet discussed his long-term future with Iraola, with their conversations primarily focusing on pressing and tactical instructions. Chiesa noted that Iraola deployed him as a striker against Sunderland, a position he is willing to play despite having spent most of his career as a winger. He emphasised that his priority is to prove himself to the new head coach rather than seeking a move away from Anfield.
Reflecting on Last Season and Future Hopes
Chiesa has been linked with a return to Serie A, with clubs like Como and his former club Juventus reportedly showing interest. However, he affirmed his happiness at Liverpool, stating, “I love the club, I love the fans, I love everything. I am doing the best I can to have a chance here.” He also mentioned that the Premier League can offer wages and fees that Italy cannot, with Nottingham Forest also being mentioned as a potential destination that could offer regular football and meet salary demands.
The forward also reflected on Liverpool’s previous season, which he described as “tough.” He highlighted the club’s qualification for the Champions League on the final day as fortunate, noting that the club battled for fifth place. Chiesa believes that Liverpool deserves more, recalling their status as Premier League champions two seasons prior. He expressed a strong desire for the team to perform better in the upcoming season, both in the Champions League and the Premier League, asserting that the squad has the capability to achieve this.
Beyond club football, Chiesa is also aiming to reclaim his place in the Italy national team. He has not added to his 51 caps for Italy since Euro 2024 and has missed out on several squads recently. He had discussions with former national team manager Gennaro Gattuso, explaining that he was not physically ready at certain times and sustained an injury in March. Chiesa, who won the European Championship with Italy, is eager to play for his national team again and is awaiting the appointment of a new head coach following their failure to qualify for the World Cup.
Iraola’s Impact and Training Insights
Chiesa provided insights into Andoni Iraola’s coaching style, describing it as demanding and focused on high intensity. He noted that the team has been training for two weeks under the new coach, observing that Iraola “wants high intensity, one versus one all over the pitch.” This approach was evident in their recent friendly match, where Chiesa felt the team aimed to demonstrate these qualities.
The forward’s strong performance against Sunderland, where he not only scored but also created two chances, made a tackle, a block, won a duel, and made a clearance off the line, suggests his commitment to adapting to Iraola’s system. Despite the speculation surrounding his future, Chiesa’s immediate focus remains on his role at Liverpool and contributing to the team’s success in the upcoming season.
The friendly match against Sunderland in Nashville saw Liverpool secure a 4-2 victory, with goals from Kieran Morrison, Enzo Le Fee, Timur Tuterov, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Lewis Koumas alongside Chiesa’s contribution.
Source: theguardian.com
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Joel Kavanagh is a Sports News Writer at News-GB. He started on a Midlands sports desk. He focuses on rugby union, golf and boxing and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Journalism from De Montfort University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Leicester, he plays amateur rugby and follows the fight calendar. “In sport news, the first ten minutes decide everything.”