S Poddar
Italy’s electrifying attacking force, Federico Chiesa, has finally sealed his transfer to Liverpool from Juventus on a deal that saw the Reds pay an upfront £10 million with an additional £2.5 million in potential add-ons. The excitement for Chiesa is palpable with him looking forward to his debut at Anfield, his self-proclaimed dream. When he flew across the hallowed surface for the very first time, Chiesa asked his wife to play “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” just one more act of proof of how deeply emotionally attached he has been to the club and the thick tapestry that surrounds it.
Enrico Chiesa once struck on the hallowed ground at Anfield during an unforgettable Euro 96 season with Italy. His son is likely now to forge memories of his own at this vaunted stadium. At 26, Chiesa is in his prime, yet he managed to be on the fringes at Juventus as head coach Thiago Motta did not consider him in his plans. His contract is now in its final year, and that made it inevitable to seek a new club, and Liverpool pounced quickly.
He took the moment to talk about the first moments of his arrival personally:. “I just want to say something that stuck to my mind when I was about to land,” he remembered. “I just saw Anfield and the moment I saw Anfield, I just said to my wife, ‘Put the song [You’ll Never Walk Alone] on because I would like to imagine myself playing here and hearing the chant of the fans.’ It was just a fun bit. I will have shivers when I play there, and it will be so emotional for me and my family.” Chiesa’s excitement is not just to play in a famous stadium but to be part of a rich history club that is passionate about its football teams. He will wear the No. 14 shirt-a number that now carries the weight of his aspirations. Chiesa is the first outfield player to be signed on the watch of manager Arne Slot, after the capture of keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who has moved on to Valencia on loan. Italian attacker Chiesa is likely to plunge straight into action and could make his debut against Manchester United on Sunday.
Well, established Portuguese footballer Chiesa thus adds to his cap being in the Italian squad in Euro 2024 and subsequently receiving 51 caps, scoring seven goals. Helped Italy’s win in the European championship in 2021 and was part of the tournament’s Main XI. This makes his experience and talent value laden towards strengthening Liverpool’s squad in the approaching season.
For Chiesa, a transfer to Liverpool is a dream. “I’m so happy to be a Liverpool player,” he said. “When [the sporting director] Richard Hughes called me and he said: ‘Do you want to join Liverpool?
Then came the call of the coach, and I immediately said yes because I know the history of this club, I know what it means to the fans … The people I talked to put a lot of faith and trust in me, and that is what I wanted.
But it has not all been plain-sailing for Chiesa. A serious knee injury in 2022 had many wondering if he would ever be the same again. Yet he battled on to make 37 appearances for Juventus last season. The four-year spell at the Turin club-which began with a loan before a permanent transfer for £42 million-was replete with success, comprising two Coppa Italia titles. With this new chapter now well and truly underway with Liverpool, Chiesa is ready to take on any difficulties and opportunities that come his way. Anfield awaits him, and with it, the chance to leave an indelible mark on the history of one of football’s most fabled clubs.
