Ahead of a potential Anfield debut for Federico Chiesa this weekend, here’s a look at the Italian winger’s journey so far.
Chiesa is a surname that has been on the lips of Liverpool fans in recent weeks after Federico departed Turin for Merseyside, having been frozen out of Thiago Motta’s plans.
But if he takes his bow on Saturday, it won’t be the first time that surname has been heard over the PA system in L4.
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Enrico Chiesa, the father of Liverpool’s new recruit, enjoyed a notable moment in his career at the home of the Reds.
For most of us, we can only imagine how it feels to wear your nation’s jersey at an international tournament for the first time, let alone score in one of football’s most iconic venues.
But Enrico did both of these things during Euro ’96, when he cancelled out a Pavel Nedved opener as Italy drew level with the Czech Republic, before eventually losing the group game 2-1.
Federico wasn’t yet born when Enrico scored it, and despite a childhood growing up watching his father’s clips, he never knew the goal was at Anfield.
CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK?
Now it’s time for Federico to follow in his father’s footsteps by playing at Anfield, but this time at club level, with the Liverbird on his chest.
“Go, it’s the best choice for your career,” Enrico immediately said to his son when Liverpool expressed their interest in the 26-year-old.
Approaching touchdown on Merseyside last month, Chiesa got his first glimpse of his new home, a home that – little did he know – hosted one of his father’s most memorable moments.
“Put the song on – ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ – because I want to imagine myself playing there and hearing the chant of the fans,” Chiesa requested when he laid eyes on the stadium for the first time.
And within 24 hours of landing, he was unveiled as a Liverpool player. A move he described as a ‘dream’.
Chiesa was in the stands of Old Trafford two days later, as he capped off a memorable week by watching his new team-mates dismantle Manchester United 3-0. A victory that surely vindicated the Italian immediately saying “yes”, when Richard Hughes approached him.
Federico Chiesa in the directors’ box at Old Trafford, alongside Liverpool legend John Barnes
Now, two weeks on, with an endorsement from Italy boss Luciano Spaletti, Chiesa has undergone a specific preparation plan with his new club rather than jetting off on international duty, in a bid to get him ready for a potential Anfield debut against Nottingham Forest.
But what has Chiesa’s journey been like to get to England’s most successful club?
Paulo Sousa saw talent in Chiesa
Federico Chiesa came through the Fiorentina ranks. It didn’t take long for him to catch the eye with his speed and movement as a young boy and he was soon drafted into the youth teams of La Viola.
As per The Athletic, Chiesa was forced to play a year below in the youth ranks, rather than a year or two up which is what academies predominantly do with their most gifted talents in a bid to fast-track them to the first team.
Chiesa had to endure years of playing second fiddle to Ricardo Sottil who remains at Fiorentina to this day – and was perceived as the better prospect.
Frustrated at not getting games in Fiorentina’s Under-19s side, Federico even considered going to university to study physics until Paulo Sousa thought differently.
The then Fiorentina manager told Gazzetta dello Sport earlier this month that he took him under his wing and brought him to train with the first-team squad during pre-season in 2016, before giving the winger a surprise first start in their season opener away at rivals Juventus.
This ended up being game one of 34 in that season for Chiesa who immediately became a player the Fiorentina faithful adored.
Chiesa went on to score 34 times in 153 appearances for the Tuscany side before making a move to his first opponents Juventus on deadline day in 2020.
Federico Chiesa in action for Juventus
A star of Serie A and the national side
Upon his arrival in Turin, Chiesa was now a recognised star of Italian football, having secured a move to the then Serie A champions and being a mainstay in their national team.
The term ‘star’ became an understatement when Chiesa spearheaded Italy to continental success in 2021 as Italy shattered the hearts of all England fans when they edged Gareth Southgate’s men to win the delayed Euro 2020 final in a penalty shootout at Wembley.
Chiesa had not just emulated his father by scoring at the European Championships, he went one further.
An extra-time winner against Austria, before netting the opener against Spain in the semi-final, gave him hero status across Italy as they went on to end their 53-year wait to win the elusive trophy for the second time in their history.
