Federico Chiesa Clinches Premier League Title a Game Later Than Liverpool — Explained

Federico Chiesa has officially become a Premier League champion, earning his first English top-flight winners' medal after making his fifth league appearance for Liverpool in their 3-1 defeat to Chelsea on May 4, 2025. This milestone marks a significant personal achievement for the Italian winger, who has faced a challenging debut season in England.

A Season of Struggles and Determination

Chiesa joined Liverpool from Juventus in August 2024 for a reported £10 million plus add-ons. Despite high expectations, his inaugural season was marred by injuries and fierce competition for attacking positions, limiting him to just 12 appearances across all competitions. Prior to the Chelsea match, he had featured in only four Premier League games, all as a substitute, totaling a mere 33 minutes on the pitch.

Under Premier League regulations, players must make a minimum of five league appearances to automatically qualify for a winners' medal. Recognizing Chiesa's predicament, Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed his commitment to ensuring the winger met this threshold. Slot stated, "Federico Chiesa is on four games, and this gives me the chance to give him his fifth game [to earn a medal] either today or in the upcoming games; he definitely deserves it".

The Decisive Appearance

In the match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Chiesa was introduced as a substitute in the 82nd minute, marking his fifth Premier League appearance of the season. Despite Liverpool's loss, this appearance ensured Chiesa met the criteria for a winners' medal, making him only the second Italian player to achieve this feat in the Premier League era, following Mario Balotelli's triumph with Manchester City in the 2011–12 season.

Looking Ahead

While Chiesa's contribution on the field was limited this season, his perseverance and professionalism have not gone unnoticed. Speculation surrounds his future at Anfield, with reports linking him to potential moves back to Serie A, including interest from clubs like Inter Milan, Napoli, and Roma . However, with three league games remaining, Chiesa has the opportunity to further showcase his abilities and stake a claim for a more prominent role in Liverpool's squad next season.

As Liverpool celebrates their 20th league title, Chiesa's journey serves as a testament to resilience and the importance of squad depth in achieving team success.

Published by Patrick Jane
04.05.2025