The Italian coach claimed last week that the Liverpool forward had turned down a call-up to the Azzurri squad for their November international matches, having previously said the 28-year-old would need to play more regularly at club level to be considered for selection.
The attacker played more often this season than last season, but remains a backup player and not a first choice just two starts in the current campaign comes in the Carabao Cup.
Gattuso has advised Chiesa to leave Liverpool
According to Italian outlet Naples MagazineThe Serie A champions are reportedly pushing to sign Chiesa on an initial loan with an option to buy, the latest manifestation of a rumor that has us all bored at this stage.
However, the same report also stated that Gattuso has ‘specifically advised’ the Liverpool forward to return to his home country in search of more regular playing time, with the 28-year-old reportedly approaching a ‘now or never’ stage of his career when it comes to playing in a World Cup.
Gattuso has already had plenty to say
If the Azzurri boss has indeed told the Reds number 14 to come back to Italy and revive his national team (his most recent cap was in June 2024), that won’t go down well with Arne Slot or the Anfield fanbase who adore Chiesa.
Gattuso was a brilliant midfielder in his playing days, but also had a reputation for being a hothead, something he seems to have brought into management with his outspoken opinions.
After his team could only finish second in the World Cup qualifying group (they were defeated 4-1 at home to Norway on Sunday), complained about the qualification format for European teams, prompting a strong rebuke from ESPN FC pundits Craig Burley And Shaka Hislop.
Chiesa may not start as regularly for Liverpool, but he is at a club where he is loved by the fans and could soon get a longer chance to show what he can do with Mo Salah heading off to the Africa Cup of Nations over the holidays.
It’s not like Gattuso has overlooked the 28-year-old at Anfield either – he has made it clear he wants the forward in his squad – so the Italian boss would be wise to get his own team’s affairs in order first, rather than wading in with unsolicited career advice.
Either way, if the Azzurri fail in the World Cup play-offs for the third time in a row, the ex-AC Milan midfielder will almost certainly be out of a job in just over four months…
You can watch Slot’s full post-Man City press conference via Kingdom of the Kop on YouTube:
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