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Italy boss Gennaro Gattuso has revealed he spoke to Federico Chiesa before leaving him out of his latest squad for the international break, with the Liverpool winger admitting he “doesn’t feel 100 percent.”
Chiesa has not played for his country for over a year now, with his lack of game time after joining the Reds seeing him fall out of favor under the previous Italy manager, Luciano Spalletti.
The 27-year-old was even urged by Spalletti to leave Liverpool and return to Italy, although Chiesa would ignore those calls, despite being linked with a transfer away from Anfield during the summer.
He has seen slightly more regular game time at the start of the current campaign, having made five Premier League appearances already - he played just six times in the league throughout the 2024/25 season.
Despite still being limited to cameos from the bench, Chiesa has managed to score twice for Liverpool, including a crucial goal to help the Reds to a 4-2 win over Bournemouth on the opening day, while his sole start in the Carabao Cup saw him make two assists in a 2-1 win over Southampton.
That upturn in game time and form seemingly brought him back into contention for his country, now under the management of former AC Milan midfielder Gattuso, but fitness concerns ultimately ruled him out of games against Estonia and Israel.
Arne Slot revealed Chiesa picked up a knock in training before the Champions League game against Galatasaray, and although he returned to the bench against Chelsea on Saturday, he wasn’t called upon at Stamford Bridge.
“I have a long chat with Fede every week, and he knows what I think about him, but then you have to respect what a player tells you,” Gattuso revealed.
“He doesn’t feel 100 per cent and wants to be 100 per cent well; that’s the truth.
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“I have to say the situation is much better now than a month ago. He’s got a lot more playing time, and that’s important.”
Liverpool.com says: It’s always a little worrying when Chiesa picks up a knock, considering his injury record over the past few years.
It is encouraging from a Liverpool perspective, though, that he has seemingly turned down an international call-up in order to work on his fitness. Let’s hope, if he can get himself back to 100 percent, that he’s given an opportunity by Slot.
He has impressed when he’s come off the bench this season, and he was the standout player against Southampton in the cup. He’s certainly as deserving as anyone else for a place in Liverpool’s side at the moment, if not more.
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