NATIONAL TEAM FEUD: GATTUSO BLASTS FEDERICO CHIESA FOR REJECTING CRUCIAL ITALY CALL

Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso says Federico Chiesa's continued absence from the national team is "his problem." The Liverpool forward has rejected multiple call-ups ahead of World Cup play-offs.

National Team Feud: Gattuso Blasts Federico Chiesa For Rejecting Crucial Italy Call
Chiesa Rejected Italy Call Again

Federico Chiesa has been told by Italy's legendary manager Gennaro Gattuso that if he chooses not to join the latest phase of Italy's World Cup qualification, it is "his problem." 

Chiesa, previously a Juventus player, hasn't represented Italy since the last European Championship, where the defending champions were eliminated in the round of 16 by Switzerland. 

The 28-year-old opted out of his latest selection for the national team, even though he was a crucial player in Italy's Euro 2020 victory under Roberto Mancini's guidance. 

In a press briefing ahead of their vital matches against Norway and Moldova, which they lost 4-1 and won 2-0, respectively, Gattuso referenced Chiesa's neglect of the call-up, suggesting the player has "issues." 

Consequently, they moved on to the play-offs, where they were set to face Northern Ireland, with a potential encounter against Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina afterwards. 

Meanwhile, Gattuso, a former midfielder, reiterated his stance on Chiesa, indicating that the decision to participate in these matches rests solely with him. 

Chiesa, who plays for Liverpool, has been advised that if he continues to decline invitations to represent Italy, it will be "his problem." 

Gattuso mentioned that the forward has "issues" and that they communicate regularly. 

"You are fully aware of this," he expressed to Sky Italia. "You keep asking the same questions repeatedly." I reach out to Chiesa. I call him before each international break. 

Gattuso and his coaching team are not at fault; it is Chiesa's concern. Not ours. You are well aware of this. I continue to answer the same inquiries you pose. 

He mentioned, "I often speak to him," before the matches. We must respect individual choices and personal challenges. 

"I have to honour what the player conveys to me, and we are fully aware of our discussions." I find it difficult to convey how I feel. 

When journalists probed Gattuso regarding Chiesa's decision-making, he replied, "Yes, this is now the fourth or fifth time I'm explaining this." 

Following Luciano Spaletti's dismissal in the middle of their World Cup qualification campaign, the Azzurri manager was appointed. He has touched on Chiesa's choice to abstain from representing the national team before. 

In September, Gattuso revealed that the Liverpool forward had claimed he couldn't play against Belgium and Israel due to not being "100 per cent" fit. 

At that time, the management remarked, "The Chiesa matter is quite straightforward." I want to emphasise that I frequently communicate with my players. 

Fede understands my views about him since we talk weekly, but I must also respect what the player expresses. The reality is that he aims to be at 100% and does not currently feel that he is.

ALISSON "OPEN" TO LIVERPOOL EXIT AS JUVENTUS PREPARE MASSIVE SWAP DEAL OFFER

With Alisson Becker open to a Juventus move, Liverpool is scouring the market for a replacement ahead of a major summer rebuild.

top-news
Juventus offer Alisson Becker a contract until 2028 - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Liverpool isn’t just sitting around; it’s actively searching for someone to take Alisson Becker’s spot since Juventus looks serious about making a bid for their veteran keeper. Even though Alisson’s got a year left on his deal after the club triggered an extension back in March, he might leave this summer.

He’s been Liverpool’s go-to guy in goal since he arrived from Roma in 2018; he’s played 332 games, cost £67 million, and for years, he was untouchable. But injuries have piled up during the 2025/26 season, and it’s starting to look like his time at Anfield could be coming to an end.

Juventus are now right in the mix. Apparently, Alisson isn’t against the idea of leaving Liverpool, and Juventus could even throw their own goalkeeper, Michele Di Gregorio, into the deal for the Brazilian.

Juve are ready to offer Alisson a contract running through the summer of 2028, with an extra year as an option. Sky Sports says Liverpool already knows what’s happening and is getting their ducks in a row before a massive transfer window.

The club’s facing a big summer. Salah and Robertson are going, and now they might need a new keeper too. Giorgi Mamardashvili has stepped up when Alisson was out, playing 18 games across all competitions, but he’s injured himself, leaving Slot with just Freddie Woodman as his only fit option.

Recently, Slot was asked if losing Alisson at the same time as Robertson and Salah would be too much. He said, “The club makes decisions it thinks are right. If this happens, there's a reason behind it, maybe another good reason why we did what we did.”

He pointed out that Liverpool doesn’t make transfers on a whim. Decisions are thought through, with the club’s interests always at heart.

Regarding keeping Alisson for his experience, Slot admitted that’s one argument, but there are others and, ultimately, the club will decide what’s best. Alisson’s contract still has a year left.

When pressed about Juventus, Slot replied, “Ali’s main focus is clear; he wants to get back in goal for Liverpool as soon as possible and then play for Brazil. That’s his short- and mid-term future.”

LIVERPOOL WARNED TO OFFER CURTIS JONES NEW CONTRACT BEFORE 14-MONTH DEADLINE

Analysis: Curtis Jones’ elite passing stats and why Jermaine Pennant believes Liverpool cannot afford to lose the versatile midfielder.

top-news
Several European clubs are monitoring Curtis Jones as contract uncertainty grows at Anfield - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Liverpool really needs to sort out a new contract for Curtis Jones before they make the same mistake it did with Luis Diaz. That’s what the Inside Liverpool panel thinks, especially now that Diaz is lighting up Bayern Munich and making Liverpool’s transfer moves look pretty questionable.

Bayern’s front three, with Diaz in the mix, have racked up 100 goals across all competitions this season – the first time any non-Spanish team has done that. Diaz himself has bagged 26 goals in 46 matches and just scored against PSG in the Champions League semi-final.

Looking back, Liverpool probably wish they hadn’t let Diaz walk for £65 million last summer. Since then, fans at Anfield haven’t seen anyone who brings what he did: that relentless pressing, always looming as a threat on the counter. Sure, they’ve brought in Rio Ngumoha, a teenager, just 17, but Arne Slot, the coach, knows you can’t just expect him to fill those shoes right away.

On talkSPORT’s Inside Liverpool, Jermaine Pennant, who has played for the club, said that Liverpool has to bring in another proven attacker over the summer. Pennant’s point: Diaz was great whether he played in the middle or on the left, and Liverpool needs someone with that kind of flexibility. You don’t want to sign a backup like Hugo Ekitike and then end up overcrowding with too many strikers when the main guy returns.

Now, Jones could end up in the same boat this summer. There’s a lot of uncertainty around his future, and when you look at the numbers, he’s only got 14 months left on his contract. Several clubs in England and Europe are watching, and he’s only started 15 games for Liverpool this season.

Even though he hasn’t played much, Jones is impressing; he’s second only to Rodri in midfielder passes per 90 minutes in the Premier League. He’s also ranked second behind Moises Caicedo for passing accuracy, and right behind Rayan Cherki for carries. Pennant said the club can’t afford to let him go: Jones is so versatile; you can play him anywhere in midfield or even right back. He knows the club, loves it, and helps connect the squad.

Jones has been one of the top performers recently. Pennant thinks Liverpool should offer him a new deal, especially since the squad is thinning out and they’ve already lost Trent Alexander-Arnold. In the end, it’s up to Jones if he wants to stay or move for more game time, but Liverpool has to make the offer while they still can.

Read More News