After being left out of Juventus’ squad for their first game of the 2024/25 season, Federico Chiesa looks almost certain to leave the club before the transfer window close next week
Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked with the wide forward, though 90 minutes he understands Interest from the Premier League is not advanced. Barcelona currently seems a more likely destination, but time and financial constraints may count against it. Chiesa also has interest from Serie A, with AC Milan and Inter considering an approach – Inter should come first.
But why are they? Juve so eager to sell a player who was once one of their star men?
To put it bluntly, Chiesa hasn’t looked like the player he dazzled at Euro 2020 since suffering a cruciate ligament tear in January 2022.
The explosiveness he relied on to cut open defenses has been significantly hampered by injury, with 11 goal contributions during the 2023/24 Serie A season in stark contrast to his pre-injury figures of 16 .
As well as affecting his performances, the injury has also led to several spells on the sidelines with subsequent problems.
Since his return from his ACL tear, Chiesa has missed 27 games for club and country thanks to 12 different ailments, most of which revolved around his surgically repaired knee.
The word on the street (in the Italian media) is that the new Juventus manager does not see Chiesa as a valuable asset to the first team due to the fact that he is not tactical for their progressive 4-2-3. -1 system based on possession.
Considering the Italy international hasn’t played a single minute of football or even been in a single matchday squad since Motta took over, these reports scan.
With his contract at Juve set to expire next summer, talks over a new deal have simply not progressed as intended.
According to reports, the contract Chiesa asked for is something the club can’t or simply can’t afford for a player who isn’t considered a vital member of the squad.
Having earned a European ban for their financial situation last season, outbid West Ham this summer to sign Jean-Clair Todibo and having lost an estimated €700m in the past six years, it’s fair to say Juve aren’t exactly up to par. cash money
So with that in mind, it makes sense for the club to look to shed some of their top earners this summer to fund Motta’s rebuild.
Adrien Rabiot, Wojciech Szczesny and Alex Sandro have left this summer, reducing the wage bill dramatically, and Chiesa looks set to follow suit.
