Arne Slot's Man-Management Put to the Test with Unhappy Federico Chiesa at Liverpool
Arne Slot faces a challenge in managing Federico Chiesa's frustration after the Italian winger was left out of Liverpool's Champions League squad. Slot's past experiences, particularly his handling of disgruntled players at Feyenoord, suggest he has the skills to navigate this situation.
Chiesa's Omission and Slot's Explanation
Chiesa, despite scoring a crucial goal against Bournemouth, was surprisingly excluded from the Champions League squad, with 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha being preferred. Slot admitted that this decision left Chiesa unhappy, but he explained his reasoning to the player.
According to Slot, "For a player not to play, it is not always easy to tell them but not to be in the squad is always more difficult. I just explained to him why we made this choice. Of course, he wasn't happy with that." He added that Chiesa understood his arguments and pledged to contribute in other competitions.
Slot's Previous Success in Handling Disgruntled Players
Cyriel Dessers, a striker who played under Slot at Feyenoord, shared an experience that highlights Slot's effective man-management. Dessers was initially frustrated when he was dropped from the starting lineup.
"After the match, Slot sat next to me on the bus. I've had managers who got angry in such a situation. But he actually said in a very normal and calm way that he understood how I felt. He also explained why he had made his choice. I apologised, he said again that he could imagine my emotions. I walked back to the back of that bus and felt like it was out of my system."
Dessers emphasized the importance of Slot's empathy, stating, "So it's worth its weight in gold if you have a manager who treats you normally, honestly and with understanding." This approach could prove crucial in resolving Chiesa's discontent.
Chiesa's Response and Slot's Assessment
Despite his disappointment, Chiesa has reportedly responded positively in training. Slot commended Chiesa's renewed attitude, noting a "totally different Federico now than from large parts of last season." The winger’s training demeanor has been very positive, doing exercises and drills. His committment to helping Liverpool secure silverware is evident.
Potential Changes to Liverpool's Champions League Squad
Liverpool could still make changes to their Champions League squad. While Ngumoha occupied a spot, the club can register an unlimited number of players on List B, which includes young players who meet specific criteria.
Players like Trey Nyoni and Jayden Danns, who participated in open training, are eligible for List B. Stefan Bajcetic could also be added once he recovers from his injury. Furthermore, Liverpool has the option to make a temporary change to the squad if one of the foreign players sustains a long-term injury or illness before the final group stage match.
Future Outlook
Arne Slot's ability to effectively communicate with and manage Federico Chiesa will be vital in ensuring the winger remains a valuable asset to Liverpool. The manager's past success, coupled with Chiesa's apparent willingness to fight for his place, suggests that this situation can be resolved positively. The team is getting ready for their Champions League campaign which gets underway on Wednesday against Atletico Madrid at Anfield.
