Federico Chiesa has again been left out of the Italy squad to make it over a year out of contention, with Gennaro Gattuso explaining a mutual decision.
Chiesa has not played for Italy since featuring in every game of a disappointing run to the last 16 of Euro 2024, with injuries and a lack of minutes seeing him frozen out.
But a change of fortunes at Liverpool this season – coming off the bench in all three Premier League games so far and scoring the winner against Bournemouth – led to calls for his inclusion this month.
The release of Gattuso’s squad for World Cup qualifiers against Estonia and Israel confirmed, however, that Chiesa had not been called up.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference on Monday, the Italy head coach explained the decision came following amicable talks with the Liverpool forward.
“I spoke with Chiesa, and we made the decision together,” Gattuso said, per Football Italia.
“He didn’t feel ready to come back because he wanted to be at 100 percent. We decided it calmly together.”
Chiesa’s absence comes despite the inclusion of new Atletico Madrid forward Giacomo Raspadori, who has seen a similar amount of game time since joining from Napoli.
But Gattuso believes the 25-year-old offers him “something different” compared to Liverpool’s No. 14.
“Raspadori has played 10 to 20 minutes in the first matches, but it’s difficult to find players with similar characteristics, and Raspadori can give me something different,” he continued.
The Italy squad for this month’s qualifiers does include – for the first time – Giovanni Leoni, who himself has not played in a month having joined from Parma.
Leoni could make his senior international debut at just 18, with Gattuso revealing that his successful battle with Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku last season helped convince him that he is ready.
“When I see a player, I must be impressed by the personality,” he said, having also called up Bologna’s Giovanni Fabbian and Inter Milan’s Francesco Pio Esposito for the first time.
“I think these young players already possess the ability to play like experienced players.
“I saw Leoni play on an open field against Lukaku last season. They are ready.
“Perhaps, at their age, we didn’t have the audacity they have, and I want to reward them for this aspect. Then, of course, quality is the foundation of everything.”
He added: “Leoni was born in 2006 and has significant speed peaks.
“We’ll see them here. I haven’t given them anything as a gift; I believe they have specific qualities that can fit into this group.”
Chiesa is one of few Liverpool first-team players who will not be on international duty, with 19 of Arne Slot‘s squad called up, and will now focus on building his fitness.
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