Iraola Hints Chiesa Still Not in Liverpool Plans as New Winger Sought for 2026-27

FolioPitch.com – 22 July 2026 | Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has made it clear that he intends to bolster his attacking options ahead of the 2026-27 season, and the message is clear: Iraloa hints Chiesa is still not part of Liverpool plans heading into 2026-27. In a pre-season press conference, Iraola explicitly stated that the club needs to sign a new winger, casting further doubt on Federico Chiesa‘s future at Anfield.

Chiesa, who joined Liverpool from Juventus in a €15 million deal in the summer of 2024, has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter. Under previous manager Arne Slot, the Italian international made only six Premier League appearances in his debut season, five of which came off the bench. Although his playing time increased in the 2025-26 campaign—featuring in 26 league matches with two goals and one assist—he failed to cement a first-choice role. Now, with Iraola at the helm, the situation appears bleak for the 28-year-old.

“There are obvious situations that we know where we need to sign players,” Iraola told reporters on Wednesday. “A winger, for example – we definitely need to sign a winger.” These words come even after the departure of Mohamed Salah, leaving many to wonder if Chiesa will ever get a genuine opportunity. Indeed, Iraloa hints Chiesa is still not part of Liverpool plans heading into 2026-27, as the club actively pursues a new wide player.

Chiesa’s path to the first team has been obstructed by injuries and fierce competition. During the 2025-26 season, he often found himself behind Mohamed Salah, Luis Díaz, and Cody Gakpo in the pecking order. With Salah’s exit to Saudi Arabia, many expected Chiesa to step up, but Iraola’s comments suggest otherwise. The coach emphasized the need for a “new winger” without mentioning Chiesa as an internal solution. This reinforces that Iraloa hints Chiesa is still not part of Liverpool plans heading into 2026-27, leaving the former Fiorentina star in a precarious position.

Iraola further elaborated on the club’s transfer strategy: “We have some tricky positions where we have injured players that we trust but it is still not the ideal situation. So it will depend on a lot of things.” This statement implies that even if Liverpool fail to sign their primary target, Chiesa may still not be the default backup. Instead, the club could look to youth prospects or other squad players to fill the void.

Chiesa’s two seasons on Merseyside have been marked by inconsistency. After being forced out of Juventus with one year remaining on his contract, he arrived at Liverpool with high expectations. However, he has only managed 32 Premier League appearances in total, with a mere three goals and two assists across all competitions. His lack of impact has led to persistent transfer rumors, with a return to Serie A frequently mooted. But with a contract running until 2028, Liverpool may find it difficult to offload him without a significant loss.

The Italian international’s situation is a far cry from his heroics at Euro 2020, where he was one of the tournament’s standout players. Injuries, including an ACL tear in 2022, have taken a toll on his pace and confidence. While he remains a talented dribbler and direct runner, his end product has been lacking. Iraola’s preference for a more consistent winger suggests that Chiesa’s time at Anfield could be coming to an end.

Liverpool’s pursuit of a new wide man is not surprising given their heavy reliance on Mohamed Salah in previous seasons. The club has been linked with several options, including Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi and Athletic Club’s Nico Williams. Should a deal materialize, Chiesa would fall further down the pecking order. Even if no signing is made before the transfer deadline, Iraola’s comments indicate that he does not view Chiesa as a reliable starter for the upcoming campaign.

In conclusion, Iraloa hints Chiesa is still not part of Liverpool plans heading into 2026-27, and the evidence is mounting. The new head coach’s clear emphasis on signing a winger, coupled with Chiesa’s underwhelming performances, points to a player who is surplus to requirements. Whether a transfer materializes or Chiesa remains on the bench, his Liverpool career appears to be at a crossroads. For a player once tipped to be one of Europe’s best, this is a sobering reality.