Federico Chiesa is exactly the kind of opportunistic player that Liverpool are targeting at the moment.
At a low cost – just £10 million upfront, with a further £2.5 million to go – and with attributes that allow him to play in a number of attacking positions, Chiesa is a perfect fit in many ways.
The signing of Chiesa bears many of the hallmarks of signings made by Liverpool under the data-driven approach instituted by Michael Edwards, the club’s former sporting director and now FSG’s CEO of football.
Those well acquainted with Liverpool’s recruitment policy will recognise familiar principles: incredible value in a low-risk, potentially high-reward move, a player who was ruled out due to circumstantial circumstances rather than his obvious quality; a player who has yet to reach his ceiling, who has a wealth of experience at the highest level, who has a lot to prove and the ability to function in a number of positions.
At a cut-price price (Chiesa’s contract with Juventus expires this season) the deal was an easy one for the Italian.
Chiesa is a unique creator whose dark spot is the serious cruciate ligament tear he suffered in January 2022, which has led to recurring problems and sapped the stardust he sprinkled at Euro 2020.
The injury caused Liverpool to end their initial interest in Chiesa, which began when he was at Fiorentina and grew throughout 2021.
His charm was his two-footedness, his ability to play on both flanks as an explosive winger, a right or left midfielder, a second striker and even as the focal point of an attack, as former Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri once said.
The 26-year-old’s blistering pace, strength off the dribble, and willingness to challenge his markers mesh well with Liverpool’s identity.
Despite his excellent performances, the club felt Chiesa had not been played properly. Now, with injuries afoot – he played over 3,000 minutes for club and country last season and still delivers the ball at a blistering pace – the thinking is that a highly talented player simply needs the right conditions to flourish.
Liverpool is more suited to Chiesa’s strengths than Juventus. While his low goal contribution will be flagged as an issue, the recruitment team focuses more on his scalable output, shot volume, progressive carries, chance creation, dribble efficiency and other important metrics.
The basis of an excellent artist is to rise high.
‘Chiesa suffered from Allegri’s style’
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Italian football expert Mina Razzucci has discussed the ongoing bid between Liverpool and Juventus for Federico Chiesa and why he believes he will have to struggle to find a starting spot in Sloat’s team.
Italian football expert Mina Razzouqi on Sky Sports News:
“Juventus fans are upset with him leaving because of what he promised – he was the future of the team.
“It didn’t really work out. It’s very hard to blame the player for all this, when he came in he just stormed the club.
“It was fantastic to watch him play under Andrea Pirlo, he was so agile, direct and dynamic and always coming to Juventus’ aid.
“But he suffered an ACL injury in January 2022, and we are yet to see him return to being the player we are used to.
“Unfortunately, it seemed that under Max Allegri, who played a more cautious style of football, things weren’t good for Juventus’ attackers.
“When it came to Thiago Motta taking over, it felt like it was his opportunity.
“But after a year of the contract no agreement was reached and rumours were rife that he wanted a lot more money, Juventus wanted to be sustainable and Motta decided he wasn’t the type of player who would fit into their plans.
“He needs a place where he can start – but I’m not sure he’ll get that place even at Liverpool.”
