Chiesa’s Outlook Under New Management
Federico Chiesa, the Italy international forward, has stated his contentment at Liverpool, emphasizing his focus on the club despite ongoing speculation regarding his future. His comments follow a period of limited starts under former manager Arne Slot, where he made only two Premier League starts across two seasons.
Under Arne Slot, Chiesa scored five goals in 50 appearances across all competitions over two seasons at Anfield. He joined Liverpool from Juventus in 2024 in a deal valued at £12.5m and is contracted until 2028. In June, he had indicated a need for more consistency in the Premier League, suggesting he might explore other options if it wasn’t found.
However, after scoring in Liverpool’s 4-2 friendly victory over Sunderland, Chiesa conveyed his current satisfaction. He told reporters, “Right now, at the moment, I am happy here at Liverpool. I love the club, I love the fans, I love everything.” He added that he is doing his best to secure a chance at the club, with his immediate thoughts solely on Liverpool.
The recent friendly match marked the beginning of the Andoni Iraola era, who was appointed manager in June after Slot’s dismissal. Chiesa acknowledged the idea of a fresh start under the new manager, noting that a new chapter has begun and his focus is on the new leadership. He mentioned that the only conversations he has had with Iraola so far have been about pressing and tactics, and that the manager played him as a striker in the friendly.
Adapting to a New Role and Manager
Chiesa’s performance against Sunderland, where he came on at half-time and played in a central forward position, has offered insights into his potential role under Andoni Iraola. He scored Liverpool’s third goal and contributed to the fourth, linking up with Dominik Szoboszlai to set up Lewis Koumas’ late clincher. This central role suggests he could serve as an understudy to Alexander Isak, especially with Liverpool currently short on attacking options.
During his previous seasons, Chiesa reportedly found it challenging to establish a consistent playing rhythm under Arne Slot. He expressed feeling ready for a larger role last year, but acknowledged that playing time depended on the coach’s decisions and game plans. He maintained that he tried his best under Slot and is now committed to doing the same for Iraola.
The 28-year-old forward’s fitness, which was previously a concern, appears to be less of an issue, as he has remained fit for most of last season and into the pre-season. This improved fitness, combined with the new managerial approach, could provide him with a significant opportunity at Anfield. While Liverpool may still look to strengthen their attacking options during the transfer window, Chiesa’s defined role under Iraola could make him a more valuable asset to the club.
Aspirations for the Season Ahead
Chiesa also reflected on Liverpool’s previous season, which saw them finish fifth in the Premier League. He admitted that the club was fortunate to secure Champions League qualification, which was only confirmed on the final day of the season, and stated that the fifth-place finish was not something to celebrate at Liverpool. He emphasized that the club deserves more, recalling their status as Premier League champions two years prior.
He highlighted a strong desire within the dressing room to improve significantly on the previous term. Chiesa stressed the importance of performing better in both the Champions League, aiming to progress further after being eliminated by PSG, and the Premier League. The team has been training for two weeks under the new coach, and Chiesa noted that Iraola emphasizes high intensity and one-on-one play across the pitch, which the players aimed to demonstrate in their pre-season friendly.
The pre-season training has been described as hard, but Chiesa and his teammates are focused on understanding and implementing the new manager’s tactical demands. His commitment to Liverpool and his efforts to impress Andoni Iraola suggest a determination to make a significant impact in the upcoming season.
Source: bbc.com
