Federico Chiesa WARNING as Liverpool move threatens to derail Italy career

Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa has been WARNED that leaving Serie A for the Premier League could have a detrimental effect on his international career. 

Chiesa, 26, was a Euro 2020 winner with the Azzurri; his performances throughout the tournament led the forward to become a household name in his native Italy and a transfer target for many top clubs.

Read more: Spalletti explains Chiesa Italy absence

However, his career was affected by a severe ACL injury which occurred in January 2022, ending his season early and putting him on a long stretch of rehabilitation.

He recovered well enough to become a key player for Juventus last season, scoring 10 goals in 37 matches overall and winning a Coppa Italia title with the Bianconeri.

A contract standoff with his club led to him being listed as available for transfer last summer with Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes pouncing for an opportunistic deal.

Once valued around the £50 million mark, the Reds managed to pick up Chiesa for a bargain sum that could reach £12.5m.

Not a dream start for Chiesa

Short of football when he arrived and subsequently injured, it's not been a fairytale start to life at Anfield for the ex-Fiorentina wide man.

He was left out of Italy coach Luciano Spalletti's first international squad of the season in September with the preferred option being building up fitness at the AXA Training Centre.

Last week Spalletti declared that Chiesa was in his thoughts when discussing the squad announcement ahead of the UEFA Nations League games against Belgium and Israel. However, there was no place for him or Napoli winger Matteo Politano in the final 23-man selection.

"We've decided to rejuvenate the squad, but those two [Chiesa and Matteo Politano] are still at a good age and are in our thoughts. However, we're paying attention to the style of play, which has evolved, and we've gone with other players who are more versatile on the pitch, can take on responsibilities in different roles, and chip in across various positions," Spalletti is quoted as saying.

Chiesa doesn't fit for Spalletti

He has only appeared THREE times for Liverpool since signing from Juve just before the transfer deadline, amounting to a total of 78 minutes in around six weeks of football. He made only one start - in the EFL Cup against West Ham - and has played only 18 Premier League minutes.

And now Calciomercato has listed the reasons why Chiesa's face does not currently fit for Spalletti, warning that his international career has taken a backwards step due to his transfer.

"Federico Chiesa's absence from Serie A risks losing him his place in the national team," the article begins. It also adds: "With the arrival of Spalletti, Italy has switched to a 3-5-2 which penalises attacking wingers."

"Chiesa's absence is probably also linked to the few minutes he has played with Arne Slot's team," it reads.

"The former Fiorentina player has played one match in every competition he has played in England so far, but adding up all three appearances he hasn't even made it to a full match."

Chiesa is currently short of significant game time and right now does not fit the profile of the kind of wide player his international manager requires.

It could be a long road back to the Italy squad for Chiesa unless something changes soon.