Exclusive: One thing could now force Federico Chiesa to consider his Liverpool future in January
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Exclusive with Graeme Bailey.
Federico Chiesa is not guaranteed to stay at Liverpool for the full 2025/26 campaign, Rousing The Kop understands.
The Italian has become a big fan favourite at Anfield, but remains on the fringes of Arne Slot’s squad.
Chiesa‘s renaissance took another step forward on Saturday after he briefly pulled Liverpool back into the game with a goal against Crystal Palace.
The strike came after Chiesa registered two assists against Southampton in midweek, and was his second Premier League goal in just 63 minutes this term.
But RTK have been informed that the 27-year-old could still seek a departure to earn more regular minutes if Italy qualify for next summer’s World Cup.
Chiesa has not played for his national team since before his move to Liverpool, and is understood to be desperate for a chance to play at the tournament.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Ahead of the summer transfer window there had been an expectation that Chiesa would leave Liverpool and head back to Italy.
However, although the winger had several clubs interested in acquiring his services, no firm offers ever arrived at Anfield.
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But according to transfer expert Graeme Bailey, Chiesa could still push for a departure mid-season if he feels it may benefit his World Cup chances.
With Italy not guaranteed a place in next year’s tournament, though, it may all depend on whether the Azzurri qualify.
“He’s still unlikely to play too big a part under Arne Slot,” Bailey exclusively tells RTK.
But let’s keep an eye on this, we’ll know by November if Italy are going to the World Cup, that can have a bearing on things.
“If they do not qualify then he’s unlikely to push to leave, he’ll wait until the summer,” adds the journalist.
“But if Italy are going to the World Cup it may then change.
That’s an interesting sidebar for Liverpool fans to keep an eye on in October and November.”
Part of the reason Chiesa is understood to be so keen on playing at the World Cup next year is because he hasn’t yet had the chance to do so during his career.
Despite their status as four-time winners, Italy failed to qualify for both the 2018 and 2022 editions of the tournament.
PositionTeamPWDLPTS1.Norway5500152.Italy430193.Israel530294.Estonia510435.Moldova50050Italy’s World Cup qualification as things stand
Given Chiesa was just 16 the last time the Italians featured, in 2014, he hasn’t graced the pinnacle of world football with his country.
Sadly for Chiesa, there is a chance he may be robbed of that opportunity once again.
Coming up against an in-form Norway side during qualification, Italy currently sit second in their group, having played four out of eight fixtures.
That would be good enough to get them a play-off berth, but means they are far from guaranteed to end their World Cup drought in 2026.