Liverpool’s decision to sack Arne Slot may have breathed new life into the Anfield career of Federico Chiesa, who has struggled for game time under the Dutchman.
Although he has at times looked pedestrian during his two years with the Reds, there is little question that Chiesa was one of the players to suffer most from Slot‘s favouritism.
Given a handful of minutes here and there, the Italian never had a chance to get any rhythm at Liverpool, but as the club search to revamp their attacking options this summer, he deserves to be given a chance under the new manager.
How happy are you that Arne Slot is leaving Liverpool?!
Why did Liverpool wait so long to sack him?
Chiesa can still be a useful option for Liverpool
Having only started one Premier League game all season – and the same number in 2024/25 – it has felt inevitable that Chiesa would depart this summer.
Clubs in Italy are reportedly ready to take him back home, while there has been a steady acceptance from Liverpool supporters that the 28-year-old simply may not be physically up to it anymore.
However, Slot leaving the club should at least raise the question of Chiesa now playing a bigger part.
If he can get some form of rhythm back, there remains a chance that he can be a good option on either wing and through the centre of the attack.
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There have been flashes of good within the bad, and as Liverpool look to spend big on Yan Diomande or Bradley Barcola, saving a bit of money and giving Chiesa another try should not be out of the question.
In a summer where Liverpool will lose big characters in Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate, among a few others, there is also a benefit in keeping a player who appears to be universally popular within the squad.
Chiesa deserves a proper shot at Liverpool
Clearly, some supporters will disagree that Chiesa has anything more to give Liverpool and will perhaps even associate him with the dismal state that the current squad is in.
But it remains true that ever since his arrival in 2024, the Italy international has not really had a fair crack of the whip.
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Some will argue that that is partly his own fault, and that is probably true, but Slot also badly restricted him. Chiesa knew he had zero chance of starting meaningful games on a weekly basis, and how could that not affect any footballer?
He should probably not be starting too many matches for Liverpool, especially when new fresh wingers arrive, but what is the harm in giving him a proper opportunity and making him a viable member of the squad.
If he fails to take that chance, then by all means look to move him on. But Chiesa still has two years left on the four-year deal he signed in 2024, and given how little they paid for him, there is no concern about getting money back.
In short, whoever the new manager is – and if it is Iraola, then it is easy to see him enjoying Chiesa’s workrate – then Liverpool’s No. 14 should get the chance to revitalise himself and have a proper career at Anfield away from the restraints of working under a manager who simply does not rate him.
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