Head coach jets in for SHOWDOWN talks with Federico Chiesa

It’s not been the easiest of seasons for Federico Chiesa at Liverpool.

The Italian winger has been unable to establish himself as a starter under Arne Slot - appearing only ONCE from the outset in the Premier League this season.

Chiesa is currently out injured having withdrawn from the warm-up ahead of the midweek Champions League game against Marseille.

As the January transfer window ticks towards its conclusion it has been speculated that the 28-year-old could be returning to Serie A this winter.

Juventus - the club who sold the winger to Liverpool in September 2024 - are still looking for the right formula for a deal. Others - such as Napoli and Roma - have also been mentioned as potential destinations.

Gattuso gets Chiesa talks

With little prospect of a major breakthrough under Arne Slot Chiesa will be well aware that his involvement with Italy’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs will be in jeopardy.

Although the versatile forward has excluded himself from the Azzurri squad for almost two years it’s believed he wants to rejoin the team ahead of their expected qualification to the World Cup.

And he is very much in the thoughts for head coach Gennaro Gattuso - who was reported to have jetted into London over the weekend in order to speak with his squad members.

Chiesa could return to Italy squad

Premier League-based talents including Nicolo Savona, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Riccardo Calafiori, Diego Coppola, Michael Kayode, Sandro Tonali, Destiny Udogie and Guigliermo Vicardo were all reported to have been invited according to La Stampa.

But the biggest intrigue surrounded the presence of Chiesa - with Gattuso determined to have him on board.

“The most anticipated meeting will be with Chiesa, who has always asked the coach for time before returning to the national team and could now wear the Azzurri after a nearly two-year absence,” the report reads.

“Gattuso wants to involve everyone: he does so by maintaining constant contact over the phone, but now he's spending time with them at dinners to bring a piece of Coverciano directly to his players.

“Leoni and Gnonto, however, are unable to attend.”

Chiesa has got a lot of soul-searching to do in the days ahead.

Does he stick with Liverpool knowing that he is unlikely to get many starts under Slot? Or does he try to fix himself up with a return to Serie A - even on a smaller wage packet - in order to get back into the national team reckoning?

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