Italy boss Gennaro Gattuso has suggested that Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa is only focused on returning to the Italy squad once he is fully fit.
Despite Italy missing several attacking options due to injuries, Chiesa was once again absent from the squad announced by Gattuso for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Estonia on Saturday and Israel next Tuesday.
The 27-year-old has scored twice in five Premier League substitute appearances this season and also provided two assists in his only start, during Liverpool’s League Cup win over Southampton two weeks ago.
However, a minor injury caused him to miss Liverpool’s Champions League defeat against Galatasaray last week.
Federico Chiesa had been granted special dispensation to play in the competition following a season-ending injury to Giovanni Leoni.
Chiesa also failed to feature off the bench in Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League loss at Chelsea.
With fewer than 180 competitive minutes played this season, Chiesa has made it clear that he does not want to be considered for national team selection until he is fully up to speed.
“The Chiesa issue is very simple,” said Gattuso, speaking at a press conference on Tuesday. “I talk to my players a lot, and I want to make that clear, a lot.
“I speak every week with Fede and he knows what I think of him, but I also have to respect what the player tells me.
“He does not feel at 100% and wants to be at 100%, that is the truth.”
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