Chiesa absence explained as 18-year-old Liverpool defender closes on debut

Authors: Ian Doyle

Publisher:

liverpoolecho

Published: 9/3/2025

Language:English

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Tom Banks

Good morning 跑了松鼠好嘛, I'm Tom Banks, and this is Goose Pod for you. Today is Sunday, September 07th.

Mask

I'm Mask. We are here to discuss Chiesa absence explained as 18-year-old Liverpool defender closes on debut.

Tom Banks

Let's get started. It’s a tale of two Italian teammates at Liverpool, but with wildly different fortunes. We have 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni getting a surprise call-up to the senior Italy squad, while the established star, Federico Chiesa, misses out once again. It’s quite the story.

Mask

It's a story of ambition versus... something else. Leoni seized the moment. Chiesa? He 'mutually decided' with the coach to wait until he's 100%. A team, a career, it needs a clear direction. When you're constantly changing your mind, you end up in no man's land.

Tom Banks

That’s a strong take. Leoni himself said he was shocked but proud, calling it an 'indescribable emotion.' He just moved to Liverpool for £26 million and is already training alongside his hero, Virgil van Dijk. This national call-up is just the icing on the cake for the young man.

Mask

Exactly. While Leoni is learning from the best, Chiesa is being left out of Liverpool's Champions League squad. The manager said he was 'totally different' this season, but actions speak louder than words. You're either all in, or you're in the way. Leoni is all in.

Tom Banks

To understand how significant this is, we should look at Italy's system. They have a very structured path for young players, typically moving from the under-19s to the under-21s. Leoni hasn’t even played for the under-21s yet, so this is a huge leap of faith from the management.

Mask

The 'structured path' is the scenic route. Sometimes you need to take the express elevator straight to the top. The old system is just that: old. Italy's youth teams have had success, sure, runners-up in the U-20 World Cup. But success at the youth level doesn't guarantee senior trophies.

Tom Banks

Well, the Italian Federation did formalize its Youth Sectors back in 1959, so there's a long history here. And after the 2014 World Cup, there was a big push to integrate more young, domestically trained players. So, while Leoni’s jump is unusual, it aligns with a more recent national strategy.

Mask

A strategy born from necessity. You don't reform things when you're winning. You do it when you're forced to. They need new blood, new energy. They need players who are hungry, not ones who are waiting to feel 100%. Leoni represents a disruption to the comfortable, historical way of doing things.

Tom Banks

It’s a powerful statement, no doubt. Fast-tracking a teenager into World Cup qualifiers is a high-stakes gamble. It places an immense amount of pressure on his shoulders. He has to prove he belongs, not just to the coach, but to a nation of passionate fans and a locker room of veterans.

Tom Banks

You have to wonder, is it fair to him? He hasn't even made his debut for Liverpool yet. There’s a risk of overwhelming him before his club career has even truly begun. Development should be a marathon, not a sprint. We need to protect young talent from burnout.

Mask

Protect him? Pressure is a privilege. It forges diamonds. You think Leoni is sitting there worried about being overwhelmed? No, he's thinking about the opportunity. This isn't about being fair; it's about winning. Gattuso sees a weapon, and he's not afraid to use it. That's leadership.

Tom Banks

And what does this say about the other options? Is this a bold, forward-thinking move, or does it signal a lack of depth in that position for Italy? It puts the coach, Gennaro Gattuso, under the microscope as well. If Leoni falters, the criticism will be swift and harsh.

Mask

Let it be harsh! Greatness isn't achieved by avoiding criticism. It’s a sign that Gattuso has the courage to build the future, not just manage the present. He’s not playing it safe. He’s making a bet on talent and ambition, and that’s the only way to get ahead.

Tom Banks

The immediate impact on Leoni is undeniable. This call-up must be a massive confidence booster. For Liverpool, it validates their £26 million investment in him. His profile within the club just skyrocketed, and you can be sure his teammates will see him in a new light now.

Mask

It sends a shockwave through the entire Italian system. Every young player in Italy now sees a clear message: if you are good enough, you are old enough. It lights a fire. It tells the established, comfortable players like Chiesa that their spot is never guaranteed. Complacency is the enemy.

Tom Banks

That’s true, it certainly shakes things up. This could be the dawn of a new, braver era for the Italian national team under Gattuso. He's putting his stamp on the squad from day one, signaling that merit and current form will triumph over reputation. It’s a bold new chapter.

Tom Banks

Looking ahead, there are already predictions that Leoni could be in the starting lineup for the qualifier against Estonia. What a debut that would be! For Liverpool, he might get his first taste of action in the upcoming League Cup match. It’s all happening so fast for him.

Mask

The future is now. He'll start against Estonia, he'll excel, and he won't look back. As for Chiesa, the future is less certain. He needs to decide if he wants to be a chapter in a history book or if he wants to write the next one. The train is leaving the station.

Tom Banks

That's the end of today's discussion. Thank you for listening to Goose Pod.

Mask

See you tomorrow.

## Liverpool FC News Summary: Giovanni Leoni Called Up for Italy, Federico Chiesa Opts Out **News Title:** Chiesa absence explained as 18-year-old Liverpool defender closes on debut **Report Provider:** liverpoolecho.co.uk **Author:** Ian Doyle **Published Date:** 2025-09-03 11:24:51 (Implied timeframe for forthcoming World Cup qualifiers) --- ### Key Information and Interpretation: This news report focuses on two Liverpool FC players and their involvement (or lack thereof) with the Italian national team. * **Giovanni Leoni's Surprise Call-Up:** * **Main Finding:** 18-year-old Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni has received his first call-up to the Italy senior squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers. * **Context:** Leoni made a **£26 million** move from Parma to Anfield last month. He has been fast-tracked into the senior squad by head coach Gennaro Gattuso, despite not yet having been called up for Italy's Under-21 side. * **Leoni's Reaction:** Leoni expressed surprise and happiness at the call-up, stating, "No, I have to be honest, but I am truly happy." He also highlighted the significance of hearing from Gattuso, a coach with an "important career." * **Potential Debut:** Leoni has already made the bench for Liverpool's win at Newcastle United and may make his debut in the League Cup visit of Southampton later this month. * **Idol:** Leoni identifies Virgil van Dijk as his idol and is learning from him at the AXA Training Centre. * **Federico Chiesa's Absence:** * **Main Finding:** Liverpool teammate Federico Chiesa has once again been omitted from the Italy squad. * **Context:** Chiesa has featured from the bench in all three Premier League games for Liverpool this season. * **Reason for Absence:** Head coach Gennaro Gattuso revealed that Chiesa's omission was a **mutual decision**. Chiesa "didn’t feel ready to come back because he wanted to be at 100%." Gattuso stated, "I spoke with Chiesa, and we made the decision together." * **Previous Caps:** Chiesa earned his most recent of **51 caps** for Italy in June of the previous year. --- ### Numerical Data and Interpretation: * **£26 million:** This is the transfer fee Liverpool paid to secure Giovanni Leoni from Parma. It signifies a significant investment in the young defender, indicating high expectations for his potential. * **18-year-old:** Refers to Giovanni Leoni's age. This highlights the remarkable achievement of being called up to the senior national team at such a young age, especially without prior U21 experience. * **Three:** The number of Premier League games Federico Chiesa has featured in from the bench for Liverpool this season. This indicates he is part of the Liverpool squad and available for selection, making his national team absence more notable. * **51 caps:** The total number of appearances Federico Chiesa has made for the Italian national team. This provides context for his experience and the significance of his current omission. * **June last year:** The timeframe when Federico Chiesa last represented Italy. This indicates a period of absence from the national team. --- ### Key Takeaways: * The call-up of Giovanni Leoni represents a significant career milestone for the young defender and a testament to his rapid development and the club's belief in his abilities. * Federico Chiesa's decision to withdraw from the national team, in consultation with the coach, suggests a focus on regaining full fitness and form before committing to international duty. * The news highlights the contrasting situations of two Liverpool players with their respective national teams, showcasing the dynamic nature of international call-ups and player availability.

Read original at liverpoolecho →

SportFootballLiverpool FCGiovanni Leoni is part of the Italy squad for their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers but Liverpool team-mate Federico Chiesa has missed out againFederico Chiesa of Liverpool(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni admits he wasn't expecting his first call-up to the Italy senior squad - as Federico Chiesa declined the chance of a return for his country.

Leoni made a £26million move from Parma to Anfield last month with the Reds having opted to bolster their centre-back options by swooping for the highly-rated 18-year-old.The defender, who has yet to be called up for Italy's under-21 side, has been fast-tracked into his country's senior national squad by head coach Gennaro Gattuso for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers at home to Estonia on Friday and against Israel in Hungary on Monday.

READ MORE: Arne Slot faces difficult Alexis Mac Allister decision as Liverpool ponder Hugo Ekitike changeREAD MORE: Liverpool suffer new frustration as absences force midfielder to answer call againAnd asked if he expected the call-up, Leoni said: “No, I have to be honest, but I am truly happy."It means a lot to hear these words from the coach who has had a very important career.

I will have to show on the field what I can do to help the team.“I still have to get used to Liverpool, but I had spoken with the coach (Gattuso) during the summer, we had a conversation, and I have now been called up. I was very happy and proud to be here."It is an indescribable emotion. I am proud to be part of this team and train with players of this calibre."

Leoni made the bench for Liverpool's dramatic win at Newcastle United last week, but may have to wait until the League Cup visit of Southampton later this month for his debut.But the defender is already learning from his hero Virgil van Dijk at the AXA Training Centre.“It has always been Van Dijk,” said Leoni when asked by VivoAzzurro TV for his idol.

“Now, I can play alongside him and share the locker room, he is an exceptional person and a phenomenal player.”Chiesa, meanwhile, has once again been omitted by Italy despite featuring from the bench in all three Premier League games for Liverpool this season, with Gattuso revealing it was a mutual decision.

“I spoke with Chiesa, and we made the decision together,” Gattuso said of the striker, who earned the most recent of his 51 caps in June last year.“He didn’t feel ready to come back because he wanted to be at 100%. We decided it calmly together."