Federico Chiesa has been linked with a move away from Liverpool this summer, but the Italian winger continues to give his all in pre-season training, much to the delight of Reds fans
Federico Chiesa continues to put in maximum effort during Liverpool training sessions despite speculation linking him with a departure from Anfield this transfer window. Supporters online have commended the Italian for his commitment and spirited attitude.
The winger made the switch to Merseyside last year from Juventus for £12.5million, representing the sole permanent senior acquisition during Arne Slot's inaugural campaign. Chiesa's maiden season in England was unfortunately hampered by fitness problems and limited playing time.
Speculation has consequently intensified this summer, connecting Chiesa with a return to Italy following the arrival of new attacking reinforcements in Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike. However, following glimpses into a recent Reds training session, supporters have been swift to applaud Chiesa for his application.
In footage shared on YouTube showing a Liverpool training session, Chiesa can be observed wholeheartedly taking part in sprint exercises and small-sided games with a beaming smile, which captured supporters' attention in the comments.
"Federico Chiesa is the consummate professional," one comment read. "Even with his future at the club still up in the air he is out there giving 100 per cent effort in training with a smile on his face. I just love the guy and want the best for him whenever or wherever he plays."
Another posted: "Fede needs to stay, so much to give, he's the only player really we have upfront comfortable on both feet when attacking, which makes him extremely difficult to defend."
In a summer of endless transfer talk, Calciomercato claims that Chiesa is keen to stay at Liverpool, but only if he's promised substantial playing time. Should that assurance not materialise, he might look elsewhere, with Napoli, AS Roma, AC Milan, Juventus, Atalanta, Como and Atletico Madrid all reportedly circling.
However, manager Slot may have dropped a hint that the Italian is likely to remain at Anfield this transfer window, as he made a point of mentioning Chiesa when discussing his attacking arsenal, reports the Liverpool Echo.
"I think we have a lot of attacking power in our team," Slot declared during his pre-Community Shield press conference. "When I think about Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa, Hugo Ekitike, Mo Salah, Jeremie Frimpong who can play as a right-winger, Florian Wirtz who can play as a left-winger.
"I already feel I have a lot of attacking options in my current squad. But, as always as a club, we are always looking at the chances in the market but that can also be in the midfield or the last line."
When pressed directly about Chiesa's future back in May, following the Italian's solitary league start under his stewardship last season, Slot was adamant the player has a place at Anfield.
"Does he have a future here? Yes, definitely he has, yes," Slot stated. "Definitely. I think everyone playing for us over here has a future over here. Next season, if he comes back completely fit, which he has hardly been for the first half-season but then afterwards he became fitter and fitter.
"The next steps should have been playing time, which I couldn't give him. But I can give him playing time in pre-season, so he can build himself up and then go even further."