Federico Chiesan rohkea päätös jäädä Liverpooliin voi ratkaista hänen paikkansa vuoden 2026 MM kisoissa
The summer transfer window of 2025 was buzzing with Federico Chiesa’s name. The Italian winger, once the golden boy of Juventus and now a Liverpool player, was heavily linked with a move away from Anfield. Rumors circled, offers floated, and fans wondered which shirt he’d be pulling on come September. But in the end? Nothing happened. Chiesa stayed.
And according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, that decision came down to more than just contract clauses or agent negotiations—it was about pride, ambition, and the looming shadow of the 2026 World Cup.
Bright Lights, Quick Fade
When Liverpool kicked off their Premier League campaign against Bournemouth, Chiesa couldn’t have scripted it better. He scored the winner, celebrated in front of the Kop, and looked very much like the man Arne Slot had chosen to spearhead his attack.
But football is cruel. That goal remains his only real highlight of the season so far. Since then? Just 21 minutes of league action. Worse still, Chiesa was completely left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad for the first half of the campaign. For a player once touted as Italy’s new superstar, the fall from grace has been abrupt.
His stage is now limited to the Premier League and domestic cups. And minutes are hard to come by.
Why He Said No to Smaller Clubs
Chiesa did have options this summer. According to Gazzetta, mid-level clubs in Europe were willing to offer him playing time, minutes, and a starring role. But he wasn’t convinced.
There were two reasons for saying “no thanks”:
- The prestige of being at Liverpool. Even limited game time at a world-class club, he believes, gives more credibility than being a guaranteed starter at a mid-table side. To Italy’s national team coaches, strong performances in the Premier League—even in flashes—matter more than steady minutes elsewhere.
- The 2026 World Cup. For Chiesa, next summer’s tournament in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico is the big target. He’s betting that training and competing at Liverpool’s level will keep him sharper, more competitive, and more appealing to Luciano Spalletti’s selection plans than a move down the ladder.
It’s a bold gamble—one where reputation outweighs repetition.
The Slot Problem
But here’s the tough question: does Arne Slot actually see a place for him?
In Liverpool’s loaded attack, Chiesa finds himself behind Luis Díaz, Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez, Cody Gakpo, and Diogo Jota. It’s not just about form or talent—it’s about fit. Chiesa hasn’t quite clicked with Slot’s system, and without consistency, he hasn’t been able to build rhythm.
For a player who thrives on confidence, that’s a dangerous spiral. And for the Italian national team, it raises uncomfortable questions: how can they rely on a man warming the bench?
Chiesa and Anfield: A Complicated Story
This isn’t a new struggle. When he arrived at Anfield, expectations were sky-high. But last season under Jürgen Klopp, Chiesa played fewer than 500 minutes across all competitions. Injuries, competition, tactical preferences—whatever the reasons, he never established himself.
Slot’s arrival was supposed to be a reset button. Instead, Chiesa’s place feels even shakier. His determination to stay might sound admirable, but some might wonder whether his choice to remain in Liverpool colors was a mistake.
Looking Ahead
- Short-term: Chiesa will fight for minutes in the league and cups. Every chance he gets carries weight—he has no room for anonymity.
- Medium-term: If things don’t change by spring, pressure will mount. Italy can’t risk taking a player who hasn’t touched the pitch all year into a World Cup.
- Long-term: Another transfer window looms next summer. If Chiesa remains on the fringes, whispers could soon turn into headlines again.
The Paradox of Chiesa’s Decision
Federico Chiesa’s situation highlights the strange paradox of elite football. A player can wear one of the most iconic shirts in the world, yet struggle to prove his worth simply because he isn’t on the field enough.
For Chiesa, staying at Liverpool is both pride and gamble. His logic is clear—success at Anfield would mean far more than being the star at a smaller club. But without minutes, he risks watching the World Cup from his couch instead of the stadium.
Alternative Headlines
- Federico Chiesa’s Gamble: Less Game Time, More Prestige at Liverpool
- Why Chiesa Refused to Leave Liverpool—Even Without Minutes
- With the World Cup in Sight, Chiesa Bets on Anfield Over Certainty Elsewhere
👉 Do you think Chiesa made the right call staying at Liverpool? Or would a move—any move—have been the smarter way to keep his World Cup dream alive?
