Chiesa keeps waiting for 1st Italy call-up since Euro 2024 as Slot provides injury update

Federico Chiesa hasn’t played for the Italy national team since Euro 2024, and the international break seems to have come at an unfortunate time for the Liverpool winger, who remains a doubt for the upcoming Premier League game against Chelsea.

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso has named his 27-man squad list for World Cup qualifiers against Estonia and Israel, but Liverpool winger Chiesa has been left out of the squad once again.

Reports in Italy earlier this week claimed Chiesa would have returned to the Azzurri squad this month, but the 27-year-old is still waiting for his first call-up since the 2024 Euros.

Chiesa’s latest appearance for Italy

Chiesa’s final appearance with the Azzurri, in fact, came in July last year, in a 2-0 loss against Switzerland in the Round of 16.

Gattuso will explain his decisions at a press conference on Monday, but the latest updates from Liverpool seem to suggest Chiesa’s omission is due to minor fitness issues.

Chiesa missed Liverpool’s Champions League loss against Galatasaray midweek and remains in doubt for Saturday’s clash at Chelsea.

Slot provides Chiesa injury update

“Hugo [Ekitike] is going to train today again, and let’s see where he is, and the same can be said for Federico,” said the Liverpool coach, just a few hours before Gattuso released his squad list.

“We have to wait and see after the session where exactly they are.”

Chiesa has scored seven goals in 51 matches with the Italy national team and has had a convincing start to the season at Liverpool with two goals and two assists in six appearances.