Federico Chiesa: From Florence To The Fields Of Anfield Road | OneFootball

On June 14th 1996, Anfield hosted four Euro 1996 fixtures, during the second of which a star-studded Italy side captained by Paolo Maldini were beaten 2-1 by Czechia in a Group C clash with Pavel Nedved on the scoresheet for a Czech side containing ex-Reds duo Patrik Berger and Vladimir Smicer.

Italy’s goalscorer on that day was one Enrico Chiesa, a moment depicted in the Chiesa’s home in years to follow, but little did anyone know that some 28 years later his son, Federico, would follow in similar footsteps to arrive at Anfield as a Liverpool player.

The 26-year-old forward made the late summer switch from Juventus for what would look on the surface to be a remarkably low fee and will now be out to better his father’s achievements on Merseyside having spent the international break getting up to speed with the Reds’ youngsters.

The Redmen TV are proudly partnered with Dr. Emrah Cinik

Chiesa junior was in situ before the break as Arne Slot’s charges continued their perfect start to the 2024/25 Premier League campaign with a 3-0 dismantling of Manchester United at Old Trafford and will now be looking to make an impact as the latest addition to Liverpool’s staggeringly stacked attacking department.

Born in Genova, Federico began to make a name for himself as part of the Fiorentina youth system, scoring 11 goals and providing four assists in his first 40 outings for the Fiorentina Primavera side.

That form earned the talented youngster a surprise start on the opening day of the 2016/17 campaign as the Florence outfit were beaten 2-1 by Chiesa’s future employers Juventus.

‘DEVASTATINGLY GOOD’ – SERIE A COMMENTATOR ON LIVERPOOL SIGNING FEDERICO CHIESA

On the international stage, the pacey attacker had enjoyed a similar rise through the ranks and was handed a senior debut at age 20, just a year on from his debut at Under 21 level by Luigi Di Biagio.

Despite initially dropping back to the youth system following on from his senior domestic bow, Chiesa’s stock was now firmly on the market and it wasn’t long before he was firmly installed as a regular in the La Viola first team.

An impressive return of 10 goals and nine assists in 2019/20 led to Serie A giants Juve signing the versatile attacker on Deadline Day in 2020 and that move, combined with a starring role in Italy’s 2020 Euro success, led to Chiesa being highly expected to go on to become one of the world’s best forwards.

DEEP DIVE Q&A SPECIAL – PART 1 | The Deep Dive

However, on January 9th in a game against Roma in the Serie A, Chiesa injured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), ruling him out for the remainder of the season and the start of the next campaign following surgery and a nine-month rehabilitation.

Upon his return, the Italian somewhat strived to recapture his previous best form, albeit much of that has been put down to deeper problems in Turin with tactics, systems and all-around struggles at the heart of a wider issue.

Having been touted out to multiple clubs and seemingly outcast from new manager Thiago Motta’s plans, Richard Hughes, Arne Slot et al saw fit as the summer transfer window drew towards its close to offer Chiesa somewhat of a lifeline and an opportunity to resurrect his career at the very top level.

Hughes’ outlining of an approach encompassing ‘opportunistic’ transfers makes the £12.5million package for a player once heralded as ‘unstoppable’ by Italy legend Giorgi Chiellini makes for easier understanding and makes the addition of a sixth frontline forward appear all the more shrewd.

Do Liverpool have the Squad-Depth to Compete in the Premier League?

With a current record standing at 66 goals and 59 career assists, Chiesa has little to prove when it comes to being able to make an impact, however, for a player who is used to being among the main attractions, a more rotational squad role will be uncharted waters.

That said, Slot’s ability to extract the most from players over the course of a season, coupled with a gruelling fixture schedule should mean the Italy ace, as well as his five attacking companions, have more than enough football to go around.

From world at his feet to injury nightmare, from out of the plans in Italy to seemingly securing a dream move to Anfield, Chiesa has already both endured and enjoyed his career to date in equal measure. This complicated pathway not only makes for a story but also speaks towards the mentality and the maturing the attacker has had to do already over the course of his journey to Liverpool.

All of this, could and should stand the Chiesa (or Church in Italian) and Liverpool marriage in good stead to be a long, happy and hopefully successful one.