Inevitable Chiesa consideration after Gattuso warning over Liverpool going into 2026

Rino Gattuso’s message to Federico Chiesa warns he has already thrown away the first half of the season at Liverpool and probably should’ve made a different decision in the summer.

The Italy coach has made it loud and clear, he is calling the player and wants him to be part of the squad preparing for the decisive 2026 World Cup play-offs in March, but it is not up to the tactician this time.

He is noting that Chiesa needs to get back to a sense of normality, which means the kind of regular playing time that simply hasn’t been available at Anfield.

Chiesa needs to think of himself and Italy

Perhaps he already should’ve made a different decision a few months ago, when there had already been some interest from Serie A sides, even if there was the problem of dealing with his salary.

Now five months on, the issues are all still there, hoping not to throw away the second half of the season too.

Liverpool are going to be without Mo Salah in January for the Africa Cup of Nations, so on paper you’d think Chiesa would get more space in the team.

However, building up to the World Cup (assuming of course that Italy don’t miss the boat for the third edition in a row), some reflection is inevitable.