Liverpool’s recent acquisition of Federico Chiesa has caught the attention of many, but none more so than former England striker Alan Shearer.
Describing the transfer as a "no-brainer," Shearer believes that this move could significantly boost Liverpool's chances in the Premier League title race against Manchester City and Arsenal.
Chiesa, who joined Liverpool from Juventus for an initial £10 million ($13.1m), with potential add-ons raising the fee to £12.5 million ($16.4m), has yet to make his debut for the Reds. The 26-year-old winger wasn’t included in the squad for Liverpool's 3-0 victory over Manchester United, as he is still regaining full fitness following Italy’s exit from Euro 2024 in June.
During the international break, Chiesa will continue his preparations at the AXA Training Centre, aiming to be ready for Liverpool's upcoming match against Nottingham Forest.
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A gamble worth taking - What Shearer says?
Shearer, now a football pundit, expressed his confidence in Liverpool’s title chances this season, especially with Chiesa in the squad. “I think Liverpool are in the title hunt now too,” Shearer said. “It’ll be between Man City, Arsenal, and Liverpool once again. Liverpool are capable, there’s no doubt about that.”
He also acknowledged that Liverpool would need to avoid injuries, especially with the added strain of Champions League matches, but emphasized that signing Chiesa was a smart move.
“The form Chiesa was in a couple of years ago—he was an incredible player. He’s had injuries, so it is a bit of a punt, but when you look at the fee, there’s no doubt the ability is there,” Shearer added. “If he can stay injury-free, then it might be a masterstroke.”
Reflecting on the transfer, Shearer concluded, “It’s a gamble that was worth taking. If it works, people will be saying, ‘What a piece of business.’ If it doesn’t work, in the grand scheme of things for a club like Liverpool, for the sake of £10m-12m, it’s not a big deal.”
As Liverpool continues its strong start under new head coach Arne Slot, all eyes will be on Chiesa’s impact once he takes to the pitch. If Shearer’s predictions hold true, Liverpool could be in for an exciting season, challenging for the Premier League crown once again.