Everyone was very excited when Liverpool last summer made a move and secured Federico Chiesa from Juventus on a deal worth just 12 million euros.
Liverpool famously won the Premier League in the Dutch manager’s first season, but it was largely without the 27-year-old right winger. English media reports that Federico Chiesa “got an Old Trafford” reaction and didn’t get things to work.
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Better before and after!
The list of stars who have been fantastic both before and after games for Manchester United is long, the list is far smaller in modern times for Liverpool.
After a tough first season in the Premier League with little playing time, Federico Chiesa wants to increase his chances of a return to Serie A by taking a pay cut.
In recent weeks, he has primarily been linked with Serie A clubs AC Milan and Napoli, with the latter club also reportedly making an offer for a loan with an option to buy.
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Now, Italian journalist Nicolò Schira claims that Chiesa is willing to lower his salary in order to bring about a return to Serie A. As of now, he has an annual salary worth 7.5 million euros. A salary reduction could thus possibly pave the way for a change of club.
Chiesa joined Liverpool from Juventus before last year’s season and signed a contract until the summer of 2028. However, during the last season, he only accounted for two goals and two assists in 14 games, six of which were in the Premier League.
Speaking of flops, here’s a list of players who are often referred to as some of Manchester United and Liverpool’s biggest flops (based on high expectations, poor performances or high transfer fees that didn’t materialise):
Manchester United’s biggest flops:
- Ángel Di María – Bought for a record sum, left the club after one disappointing season.
- Alexis Sánchez – One of the PL’s highest-paid players, but performed poorly.
- Paul Pogba – World record purchase, but unstable and a lot of injury problems.
- Memphis Depay – Great hype, but failed to impress.
- Harry Maguire – Expensive purchase, became a symbol of United’s defensive problems.
- Jadon Sancho – High expectations, but big disappointment.
- Donny van de Beek – Barely playing time, ended up as a bench heater.
- Radamel Falcao – Arrived as a star striker, scored almost nothing.
- Eric Djemba-Djemba – Was called “the new Vieira”, but a total failure.
- Bébé – Unknown before the transfer, proved he wasn’t United class.
Liverpool’s biggest flops:
- Andy Carroll – Expensive buy, scored very few goals.
- Mario Balotelli – Arrived with troublemaker reputation, performed poorly.
- Christian Benteke – Bought for a large amount, did not suit Liverpool’s style of play.
- El Hadji Diouf – Hat-trick of bad behavior and few goals.
- Alberto Aquilani – Injury-prone replacement for Alonso, unsuccessful.
- Robbie Keane – Left the club after just six months.
- Lazar Marković – Great potential, but total failure.
- Iago Aspas – Best remembered for that corner kick (against Chelsea).
- Ryan Babel – Promising, but never kept his promises.
- Naby Keïta – Expensive purchase, but injuries ruined his career at Liverpool.
