Despite the Bianconeri head coach Igor Tudor not favoring wide players because of his single-mindedness of sticking to a 3-5-2 formation, the name of Federico Chiesa has suddenly cropped up.
The natural winger is extremely versatile, effectively implemented anywhere in midfield, down either flank, as a secondary striker and a center forward.
He was pushed out by Thiago Motta last summer, and sold on the cheap to Liverpool. This was partly to trim their wage bill but also because the Italy international’s Juve contract only had one season remaining.
Chiesa initially joined the Bianconeri on a two-season loan from Fiorentina in 2020, winning the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana in his first season.
Shipped out by new boss
After signing a three-year contract to make his move permanent in 2022, he only added another Coppa Italia under manager Max Allegri before Motta arrived.
His Juve career, impeded by a combination of inconsistent displays and injuries, never really took off and Motta swiftly deemed the Euro 2020 winner as being surplus to requirements.
Liverpool splashed out €12 million (US$14m) last summer, with Chiesa collecting a Premier League champion’s medal despite featuring in just six games. He played just 466 minutes last season.
Should the English outfit wish to offload him, they would surely want to slap a price tag of at least the same figure. However, the club may be reluctant to sell him as they will require some back-up when Egyptian ace Mo Salah tackles the Africa Cup of Nations over the festive period.
Chiesa skips pre-season tour
With such limited minutes under Liverpool boss Arne Slot, not helped by a long-term muscle injury, it was no surprise that Chiesa was omitted from the 29-strong squad for the club’s Far East pre-season tour.
The official line that he was overlooked is to assess his minor muscle injury, although he scored in Liverpool’s 5-0 thumping of Stoke City at the Merseysiders’ AXA Training Centre on Sunday. Chiesa appeared as a second half substitute in the behind closed doors friendly.
His goal is to bounce back from this latest setback to try and earn a shot at competing in next year’s FIFA World Cup finals, if the Azzurri qualify for the prestigious tournament.
A plethora of Serie A sides are among Chiesa’s admirers. AC Milan, AS Roma, Atalanta, Como, Juventus and Napoli are touted as showing serious success according to Italian sports media.
He would be a real coup for Como manager Cesc Fabregas. A reunion with ex-Juventus boss Allegri appears more viable. There’s also the potential to line-up alongside former Juve team-mate Dusan Vlahovic if the Serbia striker opts for a switch to Milan.
Clubs outside Italy show interest
Spanish giants Atletico Madrid and Mexico powerhouse C.F. Monterrey are also monitoring Chiesa’s situation, due to his disrupted pre-season.
He played in the opening 45 minutes for the recent 3-1 triumph over Preston North End, although Slot fielded different line-ups in each half.
It remains uncertain whether Chiesa will still be a Liverpool player for their back-to-back matches next month, when they face Athletic Bilbao in a friendly before tackling the Community Shield against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace.
Even if Liverpool keep faith with Chiesa, they may send him out on a short-term loan, which could end up being the perfect scenario for cash-strapped Juventus. Now the Bianconeri have to patiently play a waiting game.