Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has criticized the signing of Federico Chiesa, describing it as a “nightmare” due to the Italian’s ongoing fitness issues.
Hamann highlighted Chiesa’s transfer from Juventus to Liverpool, pointing out the Italy international’s prolonged struggles with injuries.
Signed for a bargain £11million on a four-year deal last summer, the Euro 2020 winner has failed to make the expected impact.
Chiesa has been fighting to regain his form since suffering an ACL injury during the 2021-22 season, which kept him sidelined for over nine months.
Since then, the 26-year-old has missed 86 matches in total, including 14 this season alone after a muscle injury in late September.
While Chiesa has now recovered, it will take considerable effort to force his way back into Arne Slot’s plans and rediscover his best form.
“What’s difficult is we play so many games, and what he needs is playing time,” Slot said last week while speaking about Chiesa.
“The problem is if you haven’t played for five or six months, it’s difficult for a manager to give him his first minutes because you don’t know what to expect.”
“The Chiesa transfer has been a bit of a nightmare, in truth,” Hamann said while speaking to BoyleSports about Premier League Odds.
“Everyone thought it was a good fee, but he had a bad injury a few seasons ago and he hasn’t been able to shake it off.
“It’s a new league, new city and I know from experience that when you come to the Premier League, it takes a few weeks and months to adapt. [Juan Sebastian] Veron was touted as the best midfielder in the world at the time and he lasted one season in England.
“When you come to a new club, and Chiesa came pretty late, you’re always catching up. It’s even harder for him as he isn’t needed right now, too, given Liverpool’s attacking options.”
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