While most of Liverpool’s title-winning team have been celebrating on social media, Federico Chiesa has remained notably quiet. This silence comes amid ongoing rumours of a potential transfer for the first new recruit of the Arne Slot era at Anfield.
Chiesa has only made four league appearances this season, although he will still get a winner’s medal even if he doesn’t play another game in the remainder of the campaign. He was left as an unused substitute during Sunday’s match when Liverpool clinched the title by defeating Tottenham, with Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez coming off the bench instead.
The ex-Juventus star hasn’t updated his Instagram feed since March 24, when he posted a birthday message for his wife Lucia. Among the comments on that post, Liverpool fans were encouraging the Italian to feel part of the team.
“Make sure you celebrate too lad! Don’t feel like you’re not a part of it,” one fan commented. “Agreed! You’re just as important to the team @fedexchiesa! Hope they put you on more,” another responded.
This all unfolds amid speculation that Liverpool might choose to sell Chiesa after just one season. According to Turkish outlet A Spor, Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce could be interested in snapping him up.
Liverpool is rumored to be willing to accept a loss on a player who cost it just over $13 million from Juve last summer. A fee of $11.3M might be enough for Fenerbahce to secure its target, and Chiesa wouldn’t be the only ex-Premier League star in Mourinho’s squad.
(Image: PA)
In his initial transfer window at the helm, Mourinho snapped up Caglar Soyuncu, Cenk Tosun, Allan Saint-Maximin and Sofyan Amrabat, all boasting varied spells in England. They joined a roster already sprinkled with Premier League experience, including ex-Manchester City forward Edin Dzeko and former Manchester United midfielder Fred.
Mohamed Salah’s electric form is partly to blame for Chiesa’s limited game time this season. The Egyptian has dominated the leaderboards in goals and assists, and with a fresh contract signed, he’s not leaving any time soon.
“It’s incredible. Winning the Premier League and having the impact I’ve had is incredible,” Salah expressed to BBC Sport after netting his 28th league goal in the 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham on Sunday.
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“For me, this [title] feels more special. Jurgen [Klopp] is not here and other players I respect a lot are not here, but to do it with a new manager and a new team shows what I’m capable of.”
Liverpool.com says: A big decision will have to be made on Chiesa this summer. Perhaps the most telling thing this season has been that Slot has not hesitated to leave him out of the matchday squad completely at times, even with Darwin Nunez falling down the pecking order.
From what we’ve seen of him in his brief appearances, he looks like he could have something to offer the Reds. If Slot isn’t convinced though, it’s probably best to just move him on.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Mirror by clicking here.
