Chiesa's strange fate

Liverpool have managed to add Federico Chiesa to their Champions League squad this season thanks to UEFA's new rules.

Chiesa was named in the Champions League squad.

The re-entry into the Champions League reflects the irony of Federico Chiesa’s situation at Liverpool. The Italian midfielder’s future has been shrouded in uncertainty all summer, with both the English and Italian press claiming he will leave Anfield to return to Serie A. Last season, Chiesa made just six Premier League appearances, leaving the door seemingly closed to him.

But things took a turn. After Liverpool sold Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez and lost Diogo Jota to a tragic car accident, manager Arne Slot met directly with the club and made it clear that the team still needed Chiesa. And now, the opportunity has opened up for the 27-year-old star after Giovanni Leoni suffered a torn cruciate ligament injury on his debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup.

Luckily for Liverpool, UEFA has amended the registration regulations from the 2025/26 season. Accordingly, clubs are allowed to replace injured or sick players for a minimum of 60 days, with the effect lasting until the end of the group stage. The new regulations are intended to help teams avoid shortages and reduce the burden on the rest of the squad.

Thanks to this clause, Liverpool can bring Chiesa back to the Champions League list, a decision that somewhat relieves the pressure on coach Slot. Previously, his decision to leave Chiesa out to make room for 17-year-old talent Rio Ngumoha was surprising, because this player took the foreign player slot because he did not meet the "homegrown" standards.

Now, from a seemingly abandoned position, Chiesa has the opportunity to prove his worth in Europe's biggest arena - where he can rewrite a new chapter in his career in the red shirt.

Source: https://znews.vn/so-phan-la-lung-cua-chiesa-post1588081.html