Arne Slot admits Federico Chiesa Liverpool disappointment as Fabio Capello hits out at transfer
Arne Slot has admitted he is disappointed that he can't hand Federico Chiesa further minutes this weekend while Fabio Capello has slammed Juventus' decision to sell the forward to Liverpool
Arne Slot has admitted he is disappointed that he is not able to hand Federico Chiesa another opportunity for Liverpool this weekend. The Italy international hasn’t featured for the Reds since their shock FA Cup exit to Plymouth Argyle at the start of the month.
The forward impressed against PSV Eindhoven at the end of January, playing a part in both of Liverpool’s goals as they fell to a 3-2 defeat in the Champions League. But his disappointing appearance against the Pilgrims is his only showing in the past month.
The 27-year-old was an unused substitute against Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Newcastle United, while he was left out of the matchday squad entirely against AFC Bournemouth and Everton.
Signed for an initial £10m from Juventus last summer, Chiesa has been limited to a bit-part role under Slot with his future at Anfield the subject of uncertainty as a result.
Missing most of the first half of the season through injury, he has been limited to just 10 appearances since joining the Reds. And starting only three times, he has returned just one goal and an assist.
After beating Newcastle on Wednesday night, Liverpool will enjoy a free weekend after their premature FA Cup exit. But Slot is actually ruing the loss to Plymouth, admitting he would have preferred to have an opportunity to hand the likes of Chiesa and Harvey Elliott some much-needed game-time.
“I'm still a bit disappointed that we don't play on the weekend,” he admitted after beating Newcastle. “Because, of course, Mo [Salah] wouldn't have played, of course Virgil [van Dijk] wouldn't have played.
“But it would have been an ideal moment for the likes of Harvey Elliott, Jarell Quansah, Federico Chiesa and all the others to get some playing time as well to keep them ready for the end phase of the season.
“So, unfortunately we're out but that also means that the players have two days off now and then from Saturday onwards we fully focus on Paris Saint-Germain.”
Chiesa is set to miss out on an Italy recall next month due to his lack of game time, with his international manager, Luciano Spalletti recently branding the player’s time at Anfield as a ‘failure’.
“Unfortunately, he has failed in England,” the Italy boss said. “He has only played 25 minutes. He must be more consistent. He needs more defensive phase.”
Spalletti has previously urged Chiesa to return to Serie A toward the end of the January transfer window, only months after he had been frozen out by Juventus, though the player’s agent had already insisted he would stay put at Liverpool at the start of the month.
But despite his switch to Liverpool not working out to date, legendary former Juventus manager Fabio Capello has now actually slammed the Serie A giants for letting Chiesa leave the club in the first place.
“Juventus started the season by leaving key players out, especially Chiesa, who had moments of brilliance that lifted morale,” he said on Sky Sports Italia. “They immediately changed everything to try and win the Scudetto in three years
“I believe there have been mistakes made by management and (Juventus sporting director Cristiano) Giuntoli. Everyone talks about Motta, but Giuntoli should also be held accountable for the team’s failure.
“I always knew, along with my collaborators, which players were destined for Milan, Real Madrid, or Roma. Choices must be made wisely, signing players who can handle the pressure of wearing a big club jersey.
“Juve haven’t understood this. They spent a lot, but not wisely. They have good players, but none who truly make a difference.”