Liverpool Face Key Chiesa Decision as Napoli Prepare January Move
Chiesa’s Role Under Review at Anfield
Liverpool’s forward line has entered a new phase, and Federico Chiesa now finds himself at the heart of a crucial decision. After arriving from Juventus for £12.5 million, the Italian international endured a frustrating first season under Arne Slot. Injuries, inconsistent form and competition for places kept him largely on the fringes, prompting speculation over his long-term future.
With players like Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz departing in the summer, it might have seemed that Chiesa would be granted greater opportunity. However, despite his undeniable pedigree and flashes of quality, the winger has still not nailed down a starting place in Slot’s preferred system.
According to SNAI, “Napoli are ready to sanction a deal for Chiesa in winter,” and that opens up a potentially significant conversation for Liverpool.
Napoli Circle as Chiesa Considers Options
Back in Italy, interest remains strong. Roma and AC Milan have been mentioned previously, but Napoli have emerged as the most concrete suitors. With Kevin De Bruyne facing further injury issues, Napoli’s hierarchy see Chiesa as a player who can reinforce their attack and provide renewed width and creativity in their bid to retain the Serie A title.
SNAI reports that Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is “preparing to sanction an €18m move” for the winger in January. That fee could offer Liverpool both financial flexibility and a means of rebalancing the squad, particularly with a new centre-back now seen as a priority for sporting director Richard Hughes.
For Chiesa, the timing is critical. With the World Cup on the horizon, he will be eager to return to regular football and force his way back into Gennaro Gattuso’s Italy squad. As it stands, he remains on the periphery at Liverpool, starting only in the EFL Cup this season.
Stats Show Quality Despite Limited Game Time
While Chiesa’s minutes have been limited, his output remains noteworthy. Two Premier League goals and three assists from 12 appearances reflect his natural attacking instincts. However, his involvement has largely come from the bench, and a consistent run in the starting eleven continues to elude him.
He missed the club’s pre-season tour of Asia due to fitness concerns, yet has since settled more comfortably at Melwood. Despite this, his standing within the squad remains unclear, and a player of his profile and experience will want more than occasional cameos as the season progresses.
Slot has shown faith in other wide players, and the tactical balance of his forward trio has often worked against Chiesa’s more direct, drifting style. While he has remained professional and committed, the Italian may now be quietly assessing whether his future lies elsewhere.
Liverpool Must Weigh Value of Keeping Chiesa
With a contract running until 2028, Liverpool are under no pressure to sell. Yet €18m for a player who has not been fully integrated into Slot’s first team might prove too tempting to ignore, particularly if those funds can be redirected to strengthen defensive options.
It also presents a test of Liverpool’s evolving transfer policy. Under Slot and Hughes, there has been a willingness to reshape and adapt quickly. If the club believe Chiesa is not the right fit, this window offers an opportunity to move on and reinvest.
Chiesa’s quality is not in question, but in a Liverpool side prioritising balance, intensity and positional discipline, his role has never truly materialised. Whether he stays or goes in January may now depend as much on system as on talent.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
Chiesa has been one of the more frustrating narratives of the Arne Slot era. The excitement that followed his signing has never quite turned into a consistent run of form or fitness. You can see the talent when he’s on the ball, but he still feels like a player without a defined role in this system.
If Napoli really are offering €18m, it might be time to take that and reinvest in areas where we’re clearly short, especially at centre-back. With injuries always around the corner and the Christmas fixture list looming, Liverpool cannot afford to have underused assets on the wage bill.
At the same time, there’s a nagging feeling that if he did get a proper run, fully fit, we’d be seeing a very different Chiesa. But with the World Cup looming, the player’s motivation to play regular minutes could override everything else. If he wants out and we can fund a much-needed addition at the back, the logic becomes hard to ignore.
It would be a shame to lose him so soon, but we trust Hughes and Slot to make the call that serves the team best.
