Federico Chiesa’s time at Anfield has turned into a cautionary tale for players hoping to revive a stalled career in England. The 28‑year‑old former Italy international arrived from Juventus in the summer of 2024 after a high‑profile move, yet three seasons later he has barely featured for the Reds.
Chiesa’s Anfield Struggles
In his debut Premier League campaign Chiesa logged just 104 minutes across all league matches, a figure that underlines how quickly his role evaporated. The following season saw him make a single start in the 2025‑26 campaign, and he has not appeared in any competitive fixture this term. The latest squad list for Liverpool’s Champions League campaign confirms his exclusion, even as injured forwards Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley remain on the roster.
Why LaLiga Clubs Are Eyeing Him
Reports from Calciomercato.com suggest two Spanish options are emerging. Valencia, languishing at the bottom of LaLiga after four games with only one point, are desperate for an attacking spark. They already have fellow Liverpool player Harvey Elliott on loan, and adding Chiesa could give them a versatile winger capable of stretching defences. Atletico Madrid is another potential destination. Diego Simeone missed out on re‑signing Nico Gonzalez from Juventus after a successful loan, and a player of Chiesa’s pedigree could fill that void.
What Liverpool Risks
Keeping a player who is not in the manager’s plans can be a financial and morale burden. Chiesa’s wages remain on Liverpool’s books while he sits on the bench, and his lack of game time erodes his market value. If a January move does not materialise, the club could be forced to carry an unproductive asset through the remainder of the season.
Potential Paths Forward
Should Valencia secure the deal, they would likely negotiate a short‑term contract to assess his impact, given their precarious league position. Atletico Madrid, with a history of reviving players’ careers, might offer a longer commitment, banking on Chiesa’s experience in European competition. Either route would give the winger regular minutes, something he has been denied at Liverpool.
For Liverpool, a January exit would free up wage space and allow the club to focus on players who fit Jürgen Klopp’s tactical blueprint. For Chiesa, a move back to Spain could reignite his form and restore his standing in the Italy national team ahead of the Euro 2028 qualifiers.
Chiesa’s stagnation at Liverpool is unsustainable; a January switch to LaLiga is the quickest route to revive his career and benefit both player and club.
If Chiesa departs, Liverpool clears a sizable wage bill and can redirect resources to younger talent. In LaLiga, his arrival could provide Valencia or Atletico with a much‑needed creative outlet and potentially shift the balance in a tightly contested league.
Preguntas Frecuentes
Yes, reports indicate that both Atletico Madrid and Valencia are interested, making a January move plausible.
He has not featured in any competitive match this season and is not in the manager’s plans, leading to his omission.
Both clubs need attacking depth; Chiesa’s experience in top leagues could provide creativity and help improve their league positions.