Chiesa’s Italy future back in focus with Pirlo taking charge | OneFootball

Federico Chiesa’s Italy future is set to become one of the key talking points surrounding the Azzurri in the coming weeks, particularly if Andrea Pirlo is appointed as expected.

Chiesa could be handed a fresh opportunity with the Italy national team by incoming head coach Andrea Pirlo after contributing to 25 goals for Juventus during the 2020-21 season under his management.

La Gazzetta dello Sport highlights that Pirlo and Chiesa are on good terms following their time at the Allianz Stadium six years ago.

During that season, the only one for Pirlo as the Juventus coach, Chiesa scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists in 43 appearances.

REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – MAY 12: Andrea Pirlo, Head Coach of Juventus looks on prior to the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Juventus at Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore on May 12, 2021 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

The Liverpool winger, however, hasn’t played for Italy since the 2024 Euros.

His final game with La Nazionale was the Round of 16 tie against Switzerland, which Italy lost 2-0 in Berlin.

Ex-Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso tried to bring Chiesa back to the team multiple times during his tenure, despite the winger’s lack of playing time with Liverpool.

Chiesa, however, was never quite fit enough to join the team and felt “not ready” to play for the Azzurri, as Gattuso said many times.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 23: Federico Chiesa of Liverpool during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on September 23, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

“I often talk to him. We have to respect the decisions and problems that each of us has,” Gattuso said in November 2025.

“We know well what we tell each other, and I must respect what the player tells me. I can’t say anything else.”

Chiesa was even called up for the World Cup qualifiers in March, but pulled out before even training once with the rest of the team.

It caused controversy back then as he missed Italy’s matches, including the play-off final against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but was then immediately available for Liverpool after the international break.

With Pirlo expected to be named Italy’s new head coach, Chiesa’s name is set to return to the spotlight at Coverciano, reigniting the debate over whether the Liverpool winger should make his Azzurri comeback.