Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso has publicly disclosed that Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa turned down a call-up to the national squad ahead of their critical World Cup qualifying matches.
Chiesa's Shocking Refusal
The Azzurri face Moldova and Norway in the coming week as they desperately attempt to reach their first World Cup since 2014. However, they must navigate these crucial fixtures without the services of the talented winger, who has been absent from international duty since Italy's disappointing Round of 16 exit to Switzerland at the European Championships.
Chiesa played a pivotal role in Italy's Euro 2020 triumph under previous manager Roberto Mancini, but his international career has stalled since then due to persistent injury problems and a challenging adaptation period following his move to Liverpool.
Gattuso's Press Conference Revelation
The national team boss made the surprising revelation during a press conference, hinting at underlying "problems" while discussing the player's decision. "I often talk to him," Gattuso stated. "We have to respect the decisions and problems that each of us has. We know well what we tell each other, and I must respect what the player tells me. I can't say anything else."
When pressed by journalists for clarification that the decision originated from Chiesa himself, the manager responded with evident frustration: "Yes, it's already the fourth or fifth time that I'm explaining this."
A Recurring Pattern
This isn't the first instance of Chiesa withdrawing from international consideration under Gattuso's tenure. The manager, who took charge midway through the World Cup qualifying campaign following Luciano Spaletti's dismissal, had previously revealed in September that the Liverpool attacker ruled himself out of matches against Belgium and Israel because he didn't feel "100 per cent" ready.
"The Chiesa issue is very simple," Gattuso explained at the time. "I talk to my players a lot, and I want to make that clear, a lot. I speak every week with Fede and he knows what I think of him, but I also have to respect what the player tells me. He does not feel at 100 per cent and wants to be at 100 per cent, that is the truth."
The situation presents a particular irony given Chiesa's improved form for Liverpool this season. He has already accumulated 344 minutes of playing time under manager Arne Slot, a significant increase from the mere 104 minutes he managed across six Premier League appearances last season.
His contributions this campaign include two goals and three assists across various competitions, with notable performances against Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, and Southampton. His promising start to the season even earned him Liverpool's Player of the Month award for September.
Speaking about his renewed confidence in a recent interview, Chiesa admitted: "Last year it was really difficult but I don't think I was at the level the coach wanted me to play. This year, it is different. I feel much better physically and mentally."
Despite speculation about a return to Serie A after a difficult debut season in England, the Italian international chose to remain at Anfield, embracing the competition for places at what he describes as "one of the top three clubs in the world."
