Chiesa mustn’t squander opportunity as Leoni injury delivers Faustian bargain at Liverpool | OneFootball

There are few players currently in world football who have had as much of a rollercoaster of a career as Federico Chiesa.

At one point, the Italian winger was dubbed the next big thing in Italy. Son of former Italy, Fiorentina and Sampdoria (amongst many other clubs) striker Enrico Chiesa, Federico followed in his father’s footsteps, donning the iconic purple shirt of the team from Florence.

However, after setting Serie A alight with La Viola, a move to Juventus and subsequent injuries saw him fall from grace dramatically. A move to Premier League giants Liverpool last season opened the door for a second chance but the Italian was largely unused as Arne Slot stormed to domestic success in his first season by the river Mersey.

At the start of this season, Chiesa was excluded from Slot’s squad for this season’s Champions League campaign, in what must have felt like a real blow to the Italian. Fast forward a few weeks and the Italian will be involved in Europe’s elite competition after all, available for selection as early as next week’s trip to Galatasaray.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 23: Giovanni Leoni of Liverpool receives medical treatment to an injury before being substituted off during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on September 23, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Earlier this week, young centre-back Giovanni Leoni, Chiesa’s compatriot who joined the Reds this summer from Parma, suffered an ACL injury in the 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Southampton. On Friday afternoon, the Premier League side confirmed that Chiesa would replace Leoni in the UCL squad.

It feels like a Faustian bargain for Italian football. A great starlet has suffered a severe setback, and one we hope to see him recover from quickly and fully, but the door has opened for a former prospect to show his worth to his club, on the biggest stage in Europe.

Federico Chiesa – From Viola wonderkid to Juventus outcast

Chiesa first broke onto the scene in the 2016-17 season with Fiorentina, nearly ten years after he signed for the Viola as a youth prospect in 2007. The young Italian was full of energy and was a menace on the flank, especially coming up against Serie A’s typically ageing defenders.

The following three seasons with Fiorentina would see Chiesa improve year-on-year, with a famous hat-trick in a 7-1 win over Roma in the Coppa Italia quarter-final in January 2019. The winger deadly in the transition and his threat in 1v1 situations was second-to-none for his age.

Juventus forward #07 Federico Chiesa looks on before the Italian Serie A football match between Milan and Juventus at San Siro Stadium, in Milan on October 22, 2023. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

Therefore, it was no shock that the big clubs came knocking and in 2020, Chiesa joined Juventus on loan with an obligation-to-buy, for a total package of around €50-60 million, depending on bonus objectives met. The Italian was joining a Bianconeri side fresh off the back of their ninth consecutive Scudetto and it looked to be the perfect match.

An impressive first season in Turin saw the forward score 14 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions and Chiesa was selected to be a part of Italy’s squad for the postponed Euro 2020 in the summer of 2021. Chiesa was phenomenal at the tournament, being named as part of the Team of the Tournament and helping the Azzurri lift the trophy. He scored two important goals in the knock-outs against Austria and Spain, in addition to being named Man of the Match in Italy’s final group game against Wales.

Italy forward Federico Chiesa gestures during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group B football match between Italy and Albania at the BVB Stadion in Dortmund on June 15, 2024. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

However, the following season would present Chiesa with his biggest challenge yet. After a decent start to the campaign, the Italian suffered an ACL tear in January 2022 against Roma that would see him miss 10 months of football. This was the injury that, in reality, he has never fully bounced back from – and another reason for concern for young Leoni’s heartbreaking absence.

Chiesa would not play again until November 2022 and despite a mixed end to the 2022-23 campaign, Chiesa set a personal record of nine Serie A goals the following season. It looked possible that the Italian might sign a new deal with the Bianconeri but the club were not convinced post-injury and in August 2024, Chiesa was sold to Liverpool for around €13 million.

Leoni injury presents second chance for Chiesa

Last season, Chiesa played just 14 times for the Reds in all competitions, many of which were off the bench, scoring just twice. Various rumours circulated in the summer that he may leave Liverpool after just one season but he stayed in Merseyside. Despite the sadness of being left out of the UCL squad initially, Chiesa has had a solid start to the campaign, with a late goal against Bournemouth in the club’s opening fixture, his first Premier League goal. In the midweek victory over Southampton, the Italian assisted both of Liverpool’s goals.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: Federico Chiesa of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James’ Park on August 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

All signs point towards a Chiesa full of energy once more, as well as the desire to show what he can do. It is unfair to suggest he is happy to just cash in his paycheque at Liverpool, as his efforts in recent weeks have shown he is willing to give 100% for the club.

Whilst Chiesa replacing Leoni is hardly a like-for-like exchange in personnel, the forward offers another weapon in the arsenal of Arne Slot. The Dutchman enjoys utilising high-energy, high-press wingers and if the former Juventus man can stay fit and work on his physical conditioning, he is the perfect option. He demonstrated his adaptability to Slot’s tactics well against Southampton, his intense pressing partly responsible for his assists.

It feels as though this season is make or break for Federico Chiesa. It won’t be easy but the possibility of Champions League minutes helps. In his biggest moments with Fiorentina, Juventus and Italy, the forward showed he is capable of delivering in big games and that is exactly what Liverpool need – a clutch player who can start or come off the bench and make a real difference.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Federico Chiesa of Liverpool scores his team’s fourth goal during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Accrington Stanley at Anfield on January 11, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

However, consistent game-time, careful risk management and the support of his fans will be essential if he is to rediscover more of the old Chiesa. If he continues to be left on the fringes at Liverpool, or suffers another injury setback, the glass will sit half-empty and one can imagine he won’t stay in England much longer.

But with a World Cup coming up and Azzurri head coach Gennaro Gattuso putting an emphasis on calling up players based on form, Chiesa can dare to dream this season.