“I think he can return” – Liverpool fans receive fresh Federico Chiesa update

“I think he can return” – Liverpool fans receive fresh Federico Chiesa update Federico Chiesa Faces Liverpool Exit as Game Time Dries Up Federico Chiesa is 29, fit enough to be discussed, but not fit enough, or trusted enough, to play any meaningful role at Liverpool right now. That is the reality. Under Andoni Iraola, the Italy forward has barely featured this season and, when a player is out of the club picture, the national team usually follows. Chiesa has not played for Italy since 2024. He was included in Gennaro Gattuso’s first squad ahead of the World Cup play-offs earlier this year, then withdrew. He was left out again in June, and Roberto Mancini has also overlooked him during the current international break. None of that is surprising when the minutes at club level have almost disappeared. Photo: IMAGO Italy Future Tied to Liverpool Minutes Mancini has made the situation plain enough. “I spoke to Federico many times, also recently,” Mancini said during a press conference. “He’s not playing right now and must regain fitness, but he is 29, still in his physical maturity; I think he can return soon.” That sounds supportive, and it probably is, but there is a condition attached. Chiesa needs regular football. International managers can talk about quality and experience all they want, but they pick players who are active, sharp and available. At present, Chiesa is none of those consistently enough. Fitness Problems and Squad Exclusions The 2026/27 campaign started badly for him. A back injury kept him out of Liverpool’s first five Premier League matches. Since returning, he has made only one appearance, and that amounted to two late minutes in the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City. It gets worse. He has been omitted from Liverpool’s squad in three of the last four matches. He was also left out of the club’s Champions League squad for the league phase. That is a clear message about where he stands. January Transfer Looks Increasingly Likely Chiesa has made 51 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions, with five goals and five assists, though most of those outings came from the bench. With Lewis Koumas and others apparently ahead of him, the route back looks narrow. So this becomes a simple question of timing. If he cannot force his way into Iraola’s plans soon, a January transfer feels like the logical outcome. Serie A interest has followed him for a while, and regular football, more than promises, is what he needs now. Without it, his Liverpool future stays uncertain and his Italy comeback stays on hold.