National team manager explains his snub of Liverpool star | OneFootball

Liverpool Star Federico Chiesa Left Out Again by Gennaro Gattuso

Another international window, another Federico Chiesa omission. Despite a bright start to the 2025/26 campaign for Liverpool, the forward has once again been overlooked by Gennaro Gattuso for Italy’s latest squad. It is a decision that will raise eyebrows among supporters on Merseyside, especially given his sharp form under Arne Slot.

Chiesa has seen increased involvement this season and currently boasts the best goals-per-minute ratio of any Liverpool player. Yet Gattuso has resisted calls for his return to the national setup, even as Italy prepare for a World Cup qualifier away to Estonia.

Gattuso’s Transparent Justification

The Italy boss did not hide behind vague tactical reasoning. Speaking ahead of the fixture, he offered a direct explanation. “The Chiesa issue is very simple. I talk to my players a lot, and I want to make that clear, a lot.

“I speak every week with Fede and he knows what I think of him, but I also have to respect what the player tells me. He does not feel at 100% and wants to be at 100%; that is the truth.”

Photo: IMAGO

It is the second month in succession Gattuso has cited fitness levels for Chiesa’s exclusion. The 27-year-old has not featured for Italy since their Euro 2024 exit to Switzerland and has been focusing on club responsibilities after joining Liverpool from Juventus in August 2024.

Chiesa Balancing Fitness and Opportunity

Recent weeks have offered mixed fortunes. He earned a Champions League squad place following Giovanni Leoni’s long-term ACL injury, but he did not travel to Istanbul for the loss against Galatasaray due to what Slot described as a minor “niggle”. He was named on the bench against Chelsea but remained unused.

There will be no complaints at Liverpool about his continued omission from international duty. Slot, who led Liverpool to the Premier League title last season, will relish an uninterrupted spell to further integrate Chiesa at the AXA Training Centre. With seven games in three weeks on the horizon, rest could be a blessing rather than a slight.

November Recall Within Reach

The equation is simple. If Chiesa maintains fitness and continues contributing in decisive moments, Gattuso may have little choice but to restore him when Italy face group leaders Norway next month. He remains firmly in the national team conversation, even if he watches this window from home.

There is no doubt Chiesa has the quality and mentality to reclaim his place. For now, Liverpool benefit while Gattuso waits for full assurance. Everyone wins, provided the momentum does not stall.