Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa could be set to return to Italy after a difficult first season at Anfield, according to reports.
Chiesa, 27, joined the Reds last summer from Juventus for a reported fee of up to £12.5 million and was the first signing of the Arne Slot era. However, he has not had the easiest of debut seasons and has made just five Premier League appearances, and reports now suggest that he could be set to leave Anfield already, despite joining on a four-year deal.
Rumours surrounding the Italian’s future have been persistent throughout his first year on Merseyside, and with the recently crowned champions of England potentially set for a busy summer, Chiesa’s future looks uncertain.
AC Milan and Napoli Monitoring Situation
According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, both AC Milan and Napoli are monitoring Chiesa’s situation and could be ready to pounce should the Italian forward become available.
Calciomercato report that although Chiesa is eager to prove himself at Anfield, there is a desire from the former Juventus forward to be a key player in a project better suited for him.
Both AC Milan and Napoli could potentially offer Chiesa a more prominent role and help him return to the scintillating form that was central to Italy winning Euro 2020.
How Has Chiesa Fared This Season?
There was a sense of excitement when Chiesa joined Liverpool as, despite his injury problems, he was regarded as one of Italy’s best players at the time of his arrival. Joining for an initial fee of £10 million, his signing was seen as low-risk but potentially very high-reward if he could return to his previous form.
However, it has been far from a return to form for the 27-year-old, who has struggled for game time this season. He is yet to start a Premier League game for Arne Slot’s side and made just his fifth league appearance of the season last time out against Chelsea—enough to earn him a Premier League winners’ medal.
The forward has played just 41 minutes in the Premier League throughout the campaign and is yet to record a goal involvement in the league. Minutes have been more prominent in cup competitions for the Italian, and his best performance came in a 16-minute cameo in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United, where he scored Liverpool’s only goal of the game.
Could Chiesa Return to his Best Back in Italy?
There is no doubt that Federico Chiesa has the ability to be a fantastic player, however, it does not currently look like he will get the opportunity to show his potential in a Liverpool shirt. Therefore, a return to Italy could be the best way to get his career back on track.
If he were to join Napoli, he could potentially be used as a replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who departed in January to join Paris Saint-Germain. If this were to be the case, it could provide Chiesa with the opportunity to be a focal point in a team that is challenging for silverware, which is what he reportedly desires.
Returning to a league where he has previously succeeded could be pivotal to his resurgence; however, the undeniable fact of the matter is that if he is to return to his best, Chiesa needs more opportunities on the pitch.