Liverpool paid 35 million for him and now the ridiculous amount they would sell him for

Federico Chiesa: A £35m Gamble Gone Wrong?

Liverpool's decision to sign Federico Chiesa from Juventus for a reported fee of £35 million in the summer of 2023 raised eyebrows among many football pundits. The Italian winger, who had impressed at the European Championships the previous year, was seen as a promising addition to Jurgen Klopp's squad. However, his time at Anfield has been far from the fairy tale many had envisioned.

Chiesa's arrival at Liverpool was met with excitement and anticipation. His pace, dribbling skills, and eye for goal made him an exciting prospect for the Reds. However, the Italian international has struggled to adapt to the Premier League and has failed to live up to the high expectations placed upon him.

A combination of factors has contributed to Chiesa's underwhelming performances. Firstly, the Italian has struggled to stay fit, with a series of niggling injuries hampering his progress. Secondly, he has found it difficult to adjust to Klopp's intense pressing game and has often looked out of place in the Liverpool team.

As a result of his poor form, Chiesa has found himself on the fringes of the first team and has been linked with a move away from Anfield. Reports suggest that Liverpool are willing to sell the Italian winger for as little as £6 million, representing a significant loss on their initial investment.

A return to Serie A has been mooted for Chiesa, with his former club Fiorentina expressing an interest in re-signing the player. The Viola are keen to bolster their attacking options and believe that Chiesa could be the missing piece in their puzzle. However, it remains to be seen whether Liverpool will be willing to do business with a direct rival.

If Chiesa does complete a move back to Italy, it will be seen as a major disappointment for Liverpool. The Reds have a history of making shrewd signings, but the Chiesa deal has proven to be a costly mistake. The club will need to learn from their errors and be more cautious in the future when it comes to spending big money on players.

Potential reasons for Chiesa's struggles at Liverpool:

• Pressure to perform: The high fee paid for Chiesa placed immense pressure on the player to perform.
• Lack of adaptation: Chiesa has struggled to adapt to the physicality and intensity of the Premier League.
• Injury problems: A series of injuries have disrupted his rhythm and prevented him from building any momentum.
• Tactical fit: Chiesa may not be the ideal fit for Klopp's system.

What next for Chiesa and Liverpool?

A move back to Italy could be the best option for Chiesa, as it would allow him to rediscover his form and confidence. For Liverpool, selling the player would free up funds to reinvest in the squad and move on from a failed experiment.

The Chiesa saga is a cautionary tale for clubs looking to sign players from foreign leagues. While it is important to be ambitious in the transfer market, it is equally important to conduct thorough due diligence and ensure that any new signing is a good fit for the team.