Former teammate shares his thoughts on Liverpool star’s potential exit

Alessandro Matri explains why Juventus should resist a Federico Chiesa return

The idea of return in football is always seductive. Familiar faces promise reassurance, a sense of continuity, the comfort of what has worked before. For Juventus, the potential re-signing of Federico Chiesa has been framed in precisely those terms: an elite winger, older, wiser, and apparently more robust after his spell away from Turin. Yet nostalgia, as Juventus have learned repeatedly over the past decade, is rarely a strategy.

Chiesa’s name has re-emerged in the January conversation after reports of exploratory talks between Juventus and Liverpool, with a loan deal discussed as a way to reinforce the squad for the second half of the season. On the surface, it feels logical. Chiesa remains one of Italy’s most dynamic wide players, capable of stretching defences, carrying the ball at speed, and injecting urgency into otherwise cautious games.

But logic in football is rarely uncontested. And in this case, one of the clearest voices of dissent belongs to someone who understands Juventus from the inside.

Photo @LFC on X

Matri’s warning on squad balance

Former striker Alessandro Matri has made it clear that sentiment should not cloud judgement. Speaking to TuttoJuve, Matri questioned not Chiesa’s quality, but the role he would realistically occupy if he returned to Turin.

“No, no. No, because it’s a position where, in my opinion, there’s already a player too important for Juventus. So signing Chiesa to be Yildiz’s deputy seems like a waste. I’d make an investment to cover another position on the pitch. He’s certainly a player of great quality, and I think McKennie in his role, more than Chiesa, brings much more balance to this team.”

It is a blunt assessment, but one rooted in a wider concern about squad construction rather than individual talent. Juventus, in Matri’s view, do not lack attackers. They lack equilibrium.

Tactical questions surrounding Chiesa’s fit

Chiesa’s evolution since leaving Juventus is undeniable. His injury record has stabilised, his understanding of the game has deepened, and his ability to operate across the front line has improved. Yet that versatility is also part of the problem.

Juventus are not short of players who want the ball in wide areas or between the lines. The emergence of Kenan Yildiz has altered the hierarchy, providing a focal point for creativity and progression. Introducing Chiesa into that structure risks duplication rather than enhancement.

Modern Juventus, still searching for a coherent identity, must prioritise clarity over accumulation. Adding another high-profile attacker without a clearly defined starting role can distort pressing schemes, limit midfield balance, and create selection headaches rather than solutions.

Lessons from Juventus history

Juventus have been here before. The club’s recent past is littered with returns that felt emotionally right but proved tactically awkward. Big names arrived to applause and left quietly, victims not of declining ability but of misalignment.

This is why Matri’s intervention matters. He is not dismissing Chiesa’s quality; he is questioning Juventus’ priorities. In a squad where control, structure, and defensive security remain fragile, resources must be directed with precision.

Strategic choices facing Juventus leadership

The debate around Chiesa is ultimately about direction. Juventus are fifth in Serie A, close enough to the leading pack to dream, but inconsistent enough to know improvement must be targeted.

Strengthening other areas of the pitch may deliver greater marginal gains than reintroducing a familiar winger. Balance, not brilliance alone, is what separates contenders from nostalgia acts.

As reported by Juvefc.com, Juventus continue to weigh their options. Whether they choose emotion or efficiency will reveal much about their understanding of where this squad truly stands.