From Serie A to the Premier League: How Will Federico Chiesa Function in the Arne Slot Era of Liverpool?
As the end of the summer transfer window closes this August 30th, Liverpool FC finally makes their move as Federico Chiesa is set to join the English side for the 2024-25 season in the Premier League. With only one year left on his contract at Juventus FC, the Italian star sees his future not with his Italian club, but instead in England’s top flight. After seasons of ups and downs in Serie A, how will the Italian winger play under one of England’s top teams? What does a new era under a new manager, Arne Slot, have in store for the forward? What does Slot see in Chiesa that pushes him to want him for the new era of Liverpool FC?
Last Season at Juventus
During the 2023-24 season at Juventus FC, Federico Chiesa was mostly played out of position, being used as a second striker rather than his natural winger position. This change came following two seasons filled with injuries and fitness problems for the Italian forward. When the new season began, the Juventus manager at the time, Massimiliano Allegri, decided to use Chiesa in the center more instead of the wing. This change saw the forward score 10 goals and earn three assists throughout all competitions. Compared to the time before the series of injuries, the 2020-2021 season showed the Italian scoring 15 goals and earning 11 assists in all competitions while playing as a winger on either side of the pitch. The disparity in how Chiesa was used showed that although he was starting to go back to where they needed him, the manager knew he may not be ready to play the way he wanted at the time.
2024 and Forward:
As the 2023-24 season came to a close and a transition in managers had begun, the Italian side Juventus started going in a direction that did not have Federico Chiesa in its future. The new manager, Thiago Motta, was seen using a Juventus without Chiesa in his plan during the summer preseason matches. Motta himself had mentioned multiple players that are a part of his plans going forward. However, with no mention of Chiesa as the manager's plans indirectly admits to the player not being a part of them.
After a signing of less than half of what Chiesa is worth, Liverpool sees to have the forward join their ranks of elite players and goalscoring threats. With the likes of Diogo Jota, Luis Díaz, Mohamed Salah, and Cody Gakpo all being natural wingers and goalscorers, how will another winger such as Chiesa meld in with a group like this? Why choose another forward when other positions could use another player to fill? What sort of plays could come from adding another winger to the team?
The reasoning as to how may be due to the goalscoring opportunities that Chiesa can make for his teammates. Given that Chiesa has experience on both sides of the pitch, he may come in as someone who can be a switch for Salah on the right or Díaz on the left. As both Gakpo and Jota are often used as either a left-winger or center forward, as well as Darwin Núñez being a natural goal threat, Chiesa may have been seen as a good link to add in for players such as these so they make those runs into the box and score. As for why Arne Slot wanted another forward, it simply comes down to the playstyle he prefers. Possession and tactical play are things that Chiesa can bring to a team that is already known for its high-pressing attack style. Regardless of what possibilities Chiesa may bring or how Slot may use him, all that can be done is to wait and see.
