From everything to nothing. An illusion, nothing more. This has been Federico Chiesa for Juventus, his fans. And if we want to, also for the Italian national team, but we’ll come back to that later. While Cristiano Giuntoli and the management complete the squad with big names in these final hours of the transfer market, the Italian winger takes off towards England, with background noise. Leaving bitterness and remorse in that same reality that hailed him – upon his arrival – as the “future of Italian football.”
In four years (or a little less) in Turin, Federico Chiesa has been everything and nothing. As nature is for Johann Goethe in “The Sorrows of Young Werther”: something could have blossomed, but it has only been a mirage. For everyone. Betrayed by himself and by an environment that has warmed him, nurtured him until it gently led him to the exit door. Because it is no longer worth it. The weight of the 40 million (spent by the bianconeri in 2020), of that summer in 2021 at the “center of the village” and of that injury that he has never truly left behind. After turbulent months and weeks of separation at home because he is out of Thiago Motta’s technical plans, Chiesa convinces himself to leave and bid farewell to Italy, for just 13 million euros. Liverpool will be his real opportunity to prove he can be a top player, trying to beat a ruthless competition and with the “fixed position” of the wing that has not been taken for granted for some time now.
The weight of that European Championship and the injury
Betrayed by something that was perhaps greater than him. A (sweet) distant memory of Chiesa seen at Wembley. One of the heroes of the European Championship won by Italy under Mancini. Then, all certainties shatter in a few seconds, on a cold and restless January 9, 2022: Chiesa tears his ACL. And from there, another story begins. The flair and fantasy of the raw talent transforms into waiting, repetitiveness, and negative thoughts. And even upon his return to the field, it’s clear, Federico Chiesa is not (and will never be) the same.
Allegri doesn’t understand him and Thiago Motta dismisses him
On the field, however not functional as he is not suited to the characteristics that Massimiliano Allegri requests. Eager to give his contribution but clumsy, with his head down and blinders on. Despite everything, goals arrive (he reaches double digits in the last season), but there are more negative performances than starring ones. No, Chiesa did not find himself again even at the European Championship that three years prior had exalted him and given him an identity. The arrival of Thiago Motta is the final verdict: “Thank you for everything, Federico. But it’s better that you find another team.” Crazy demands (his and agent Ramadani’s) for the contract renewal, which clash against words of love for the bianconera club. The meeting point is no more, and the epilogue is something that four years ago seemed unimaginable. “I wanted to say goodbye to the bianconeri fans. Thank you for the affection and for these years, I will carry you in my heart and thanks to Juventus. It’s a shame to leave like this,” says the blue winger just before leaving for England. An anxious and foreseen farewell, but in some ways, it is right this way.
What will happen at Liverpool?
And now there is the Premier League. A true unknown: return to the starting lineup or remain on the bench? The competition in the Reds up front speaks for itself: Luis Díaz, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah, and Ben Doak just to name a few. Every certainty has been shattered, due to him and others, Liverpool is probably the last chance. To remain an illusion or to become a talent reborn, only time will tell. If until two months ago Federico Chiesa’s career was a cliffhanger, now it is a roulette. The last roll, for the last big bet aiming for the color Reds. And on himself, once again.