Liverpool’s summer signing Federico Chiesa has yet to hit the ground running, with his limited appearances attributed to struggles adapting to the Premier League’s intensity and missing pre-season training.
The Italian winger, signed from Juventus for a cut-price $16.1 million (£12.5 million/€15.0 million), has only managed three appearances for the Reds, with just one start in the Carabao Cup.
Recent fitness issues have further sidelined him for the past four matches, including the crucial Champions League clash against RB Leipzig.
Manager Arne Slot shed light on Chiesa’s situation, acknowledging the challenges of integrating a player who missed pre-season.
“He missed pre-season, I said this many times, and going to a league that is a higher intensity than Serie A… That makes it difficult for him to make the step towards the intensity levels where the rest of the team is at the moment,” Slot explained.
Slot emphasized that Chiesa’s struggles are not due to a lack of ability or the quality of Serie A, but rather the demanding nature of the Premier League combined with his lack of pre-season preparation.
Catching up to the team’s fitness level has proven difficult while managing ongoing injuries.
“It is difficult for every player, when the games are constantly there, to build up players to the levels we are at,” Slot said. “It’s a big disappointment that he is going in and out of the training sessions all the time.”
The manager expressed empathy for Chiesa’s situation, acknowledging the long-term contract signed and the promise he holds for the team.
However, the immediate future remains uncertain as the player focuses on regaining fitness and adapting to the league’s demands.
