Italy boss reveals truth about Federico Chiesa 'problems' after return to Liverpool

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Federico Chiesa left the Italy camp ahead of the World Cup qualifier playoffs due to a 'minor physical issue' in the latest setback for the Liverpool winger

Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa(Image: Getty Images)

Gennaro Gattuso has opened up on the decision to allow Federico Chiesa to miss Italy's World Cup qualifier playoffs and return to Liverpool.

Chiesa has once again struggled for opportunities at Liverpool this season and has started just one game in the Premier League, with most of his opportunities coming in cup competitions. The 28-year-old played the final 13 minutes in the defeat to Brighton on Saturday.

He had been recalled to the Italy squad for the crunch game against Northern Ireland for the first time in almost two years but was sent home by Gattuso on Monday due to 'minor physical issues' and returned to Liverpool.

It is the latest blow in what has been a nightmare couple of years for Chiesa, who was Italy's star man as they won the European Championships five years ago.

“Not every player is the same,” Gattuso said as he faced the press ahead of the playoffs. “Footballers’ minds aren’t all alike. When I hear he has problems, that he’s hesitant, I have to make a decision.

'We decided together because he didn’t feel up to it, he went back home, and I accepted it.

“I can try to convince him for a while but I always think that in life, beyond a match, the relationships matter. So I don’t have great medical expertise but if someone isn’t feeling well, I feel that you shouldn’t insist.

"If I insist and he stays and ends up damaging his knee how is the player supposed to look at me? So when someone feels they’re not 100 percent, it’s right they go home.”

Chiesa still has another two years to run on his Liverpool contract but a mutual parting of the ways appears inevitable this summer.

And former AC Milan and Italy star Massimino Ambrosini believes a return to his homeland will be the right option for Chiesa.

"It's not easy because we're talking about a psychological situation for him," Ambrosini told GOAL. "I know that he has maybe some issues to solve. And he's a very fragile guy sometimes.

"So he needs to find his power in his mind, first of all. So maybe coming back to Italy could help him. Maybe this situation could help him. Coming back, feeling different feelings, despite what happened in Liverpool. Why not?