Chiesa expresses desire to stay at Liverpool under new manager Iraola
Federico Chiesa has stated his intention to remain at Liverpool, aiming for a more significant role under the club’s new head coach, Andoni Iraola. The Italy international’s declaration comes despite previous reports linking him with a departure during the current transfer window.
Chiesa, who joined Liverpool from Juventus in August 2024 for £12.5 million, has faced a challenging period at Anfield. His contract with the club extends until the summer of 2028. Over the past two seasons under former manager Arne Slot, the 28-year-old made 50 appearances across all competitions, scoring five goals. However, he started only one Premier League match during this period.
The forward recently featured in Iraola’s first friendly match in charge, a 4-2 victory over Sunderland in Nashville, where he contributed one of Liverpool’s goals. This performance appears to have boosted his morale as he looks to establish himself under the new management.
A New Chapter at Anfield
Speaking after the friendly, Chiesa conveyed his happiness at Liverpool. He expressed his affection for the club, its supporters, and the overall environment. He emphasized his commitment to earning an opportunity at Anfield, stating that his current focus is solely on Liverpool.
Chiesa views Iraola’s appointment as a “new chapter” in his career at the club. He acknowledged that he has experienced numerous “fresh starts” but remains determined to perform his best for the new manager. While he admitted feeling ready for a larger role last season, he respected the decisions made by the previous coaching staff regarding his involvement.
The Italian attacker has not yet had extensive discussions with Iraola concerning his specific role in the upcoming season’s plans. Their conversations have primarily revolved around tactical aspects, such as pressing. Notably, Iraola deployed Chiesa as a striker in the friendly against Sunderland, a position where Chiesa expressed willingness to play despite having spent most of his career as a winger.
Past Struggles and Future Aspirations
Chiesa’s time at Liverpool under Slot was marked by a lack of consistent playing time. In his last season, he made 36 appearances, but only five were starts. His last start in the Premier League was the sole one of the season, and his most recent start overall came in the FA Cup fourth-round win against Brighton on February 14. These limited opportunities led him to hint at a potential exit last June if his situation did not improve.
Despite these challenges, Chiesa remains focused on helping Liverpool achieve success. He noted that the club secured Champions League qualification on the final day of the previous season, finishing fifth in the Premier League. He believes Liverpool, having been Premier League champions two seasons prior, deserves to compete for major trophies and aims for improved performances in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
Beyond his club ambitions, 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. He previously spoke with former national team manager Gennaro Gattuso but was not physically ready to play at the time, and later sustained an injury in March. With Italy currently searching for a new head coach following their failure to qualify for the World Cup, Chiesa is eager to demonstrate his form at Liverpool to earn a recall.
Chiesa’s commitment to Liverpool and his desire for a fresh start under Iraola signal a potential turning point in his career at Anfield, as he looks to contribute significantly to the team’s objectives in the upcoming season.
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Source: goal.com
