While most of Liverpool’s squad are out representing their countries over the break, new signing Federico Chiesa has remained on Merseyside to train.
A decision was made by the Italian side to not call up the 26-year-old attacker who had been left out of all three matchdays by Juventus prior to completing a move to Anfield.
It was a move that will surely pay dividends as he needs daily training to get up to speed and he wouldn’t have been ready to make an impact against France in the UEFA Nations League.It’s a great decision to allow him to settle into his new surroundings which are likely to be a huge contrast from his time in Italy.
Training with the U21 squad is a perfect stepping stone before joining up with the first-team and it is similar to what Ryan Gravenberch did last year at the same point when he refused to go with the Dutch U21 squad and it was branded as the ‘wrong choice’ by manager Michael Reiziger.For Chiesa, it looks to be a decision that is working.
The training footage released by Liverpool has shown him demonstrating his best qualities on the AXA Training pitches; his quick turn of pace, beating players and rifling shots into the top corner with either foot in what is an impressive show reel. It’s safe to say fans have responded strongly to the clips on social media.
One account wrote glowingly after seeing him score and torment the Liverpool youngsters, but failed to realise he wasn’t selected for international duty: ‘Chiesa’s going to be phenomenal for us. The fact that he didn’t go on international duty to stay, settle in and train with the u21’s says so much about him.
The urge to succeed is massive, which is exactly why he will.’While another joked: ‘That Chiesa fella looked class in the u21 training, this academy is making some promising players!’ One fan also simply stated ‘Keep the Chiesa content coming’ – and they are clearly loving what they are seeing.
With the Reds set to face a favourable set of fixtures that includes Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and West Ham United (in the EFL Cup) at Anfield across the next month as well as Wolves (A) and Bologna at home in the Champions League, the Italian could certainly make his full debut in one of these encounters and it will be an exciting moment when he does.
