Fiorentina winger Federico Chiesa has been one of the latest players to be linked with Chelsea over the last few days. But who exactly is the young Italian and what would he bring to Frank Lampards squad?
Son of former Italian and Fiorentina forward Enrico Chiesa, Federico made his Fiorentina debut in 2016 in a 2-1 defeat to Juventus and has since gone on to make 123 appearances for the Florence club scoring 21 goals. He’s played at every Italian national team level and has 17 senior caps to his name with 1 goal.
Regarded by many in his native Italy as a promising young prospect, Chiesa is talented, fast, skillful, and hardworking. With good technique, a short stature, and a slender build he certainly has taken after his father.
At only 22 years of age, he’s one of the best young prospects around the world, and fits right into the style which Frank would be looking for- young, and of great technical ability.
He usually plays as a right winger who can also play on the left which would help fill the gaps left in the squad from the likely departures of Willian and Pedro. Besides both wings, he has played in several central positions, most frequently as either an attacking midfielder or a second striker.
This versatility will certainly be helpful to Lampard’s squad as not only does it give him even more options in the attacking area, it makes him a very obvious Pulisic replacement if the American was to be injured.
Chelsea have lacked in some games with creativity, and although our new signing Ziyech aids this concern, Chiesa definitely wouldn’t be a bad option to add.
In addition to his primary duties in attack, he often contributes to the defensive play by chasing the opposition’s wingers down the flank to win back possession, and has been deployed occasionally as a right wing back in a 3–5–2 formation.
There is no doubt that Willian and Pedro do a lot of defensive work, and with it looking likely that both players will leave the club, a winger with a defensive mindset could be required – especially with Hudson-Odoi, Pulisic and Ziyech preferring to attack.
Him being able to play as a wing back in a 3 at the back formation certainly helps too, with James struggling at times in the RWB role and sometimes cutting in too much. Whereas, Chiesa would be able to stay out wide as much as possible and get in behind.
However, the transfer certainly is one which looks unlikely. Although he may fit the profile of what we’re looking for, any links right now should most likely be discarded due to the whole club being unaware of their financial situation due to the Coronavirus. Furthermore, if a winger was to come, you would expect Lampard to be demanding Sancho, or for the club to possibly exercise Boga’s buy back clause.
With Lampard in need of a winger, or two, and tending in some games to play with three at the back Chiesa could be a versitile addition to the squad for the right price.
The Chelsea Spot 
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