Liverpool were rumored to be involved in the sweepstakes for Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is adamant that he wants to leave an organization that, despite challenging for the Serie A title this season, has been mostly known for disappointing its best players.
Now, it looks like the deep pockets of PSG will drive the negotiations for Kvara, leaving Liverpool on the outside looking in. It’s not like Liverpool were desperate for Kvaratskhelia, however, as they have two left wingers who have been even better this season in Luis Diaz and breakout superstar Cody Gakpo.
Napoli are reportedly eyeing Federico Chiesa as a possible replacement for Kvaratskhelia on the left wing, as Chiesa has a great Serie A pedigree as a former standout for both Fiorentina and Juventus before the Bianconeri abruptly gave up on him this past summer without even letting him try to crack Thiago Motta’s new system.
Granted, Chiesa hasn’t been able to establish himself in a crowded rotation at Liverpool, but even though it was against lowly Accrington, the Italian international reminded Kopites of his quality and potential with a goal off the bench.
Perhaps Chiesa will be able to carve out a role for himself in the second half of the season, and despite the transfer links, it appears the winger will be staying at Anfield this winter.
That’s because top Italian footballing insider Gianluca Di Marzio has reported that the oft-mentioned Chiesa to Napoli transfer rumor is unlikely to materialize, and, for Liverpool supporters, the best part of the report is the fact that Chiesa himself wants to stay at Anfield.
There’s something about players who want to stay and fight for their place at Liverpool that is conducive to success. Liverpool is a club predicated upon chemistry and buying in. Diaz, Gakpo, and Ryan Gravenberch, for example, all bought into Slot before the season started and are now among the world’s best this season.
If Chiesa can stay healthy and play his hardest, he can shine. He has shone brightly before for club and country and was only discarded by a mismanaged and underperforming Juventus, where no attacking player save for Kenan Yildiz has performed to expectations.
Chiesa has a clean slate at Liverpool. There is no pressure against him, whereas, at Napoli, for example, he’d be at a club that can’t even get behind its two best players since Maradona.
It may be surprising to see that Chiesa will be staying at Liverpool this winter, but he can be an X-Factor in the Premier League and, especially, Champions League battles to come.
