Liverpool summer signing could be handed early exit route after just one start

Federico Chiesa's career at Liverpool is yet to take off and he has already been linked with a move away.

Italy international Chiesa joined the Reds in a bargain deal towards the end of the summer transfer window after falling out of favor at Juventus. He was the second new signing of the Arne Slot era, but the first to make his debut, while Giorgi Mamardashvili stayed at Valencia until 2025.

The winger did not have a good preparation at Juve, which meant he had to wait for his debut. However, injury problems have limited his involvement since then.

After coming on as substitutes against AC Milan in the Champions League and Bournemouth in the Premier League, he started for the first time against West Ham in a Carabao Cup win on 25 September. Three days later he was an unused substitute against Wolves, but he didn't do that. since included in a matchday squad.

According to La Repubblica (via Goal), Napoli are now monitoring the 27-year-old. The Serie A club are said to see him as a potential replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia if the Georgian leaves Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with Kvaratskhelia, who helped Napoli win the Scudetto in 2023. The Partenopei are desperate to keep their star player, but reports in Italy suggest Chiesa is seen as a potential successor if they are not there succeed. to do that.

Kvaratskhelia played in all fourteen of Napoli's league matches this season and scored five times. He set up Scott McTominay's winner away to Turin on Sunday and helped Antonio Conte's team finish the weekend at the top of the table.

“I think it is always so difficult with injuries,” Slot said about Chiesa in October. “Especially if it just happened, to see where they are after a few days. I think after a few days you'll be able to tell better where they are.

“With Federico it is a little simpler, although it is difficult, it is a little easier to explain. He missed the preparation for the season, I have said that many times, and if we go to a competition that has a higher intensity than the Serie A, I just faced two Italian teams, so I can say this now.

“That makes it difficult for him to step up to the intensity levels that the rest of the team is at at the moment. It's not so much to do with the Italian league or the Premier League, but so much to do with the fact that he is missing .” the entire preseason.

“So it's difficult for any player, when the games are going on all the time, to build players up to the level we are at. It's hard to say, but it's a big disappointment that he's been in and out of training all the time. time goes.

“So I feel sorry for him, but he has signed a long-term contract so we will see what he brings to us. At the moment unfortunately he has been in the squad selection for us once or twice and nothing more.” “