“Chiesa? It’s the line I have with everyone. I talk to him a lot... every week,” Gattuso said. “Fede knows what I think of him, but you also have to respect what the player says.
"He doesn’t feel 100 per cent, and he has to solve some small problems. There is no case or secret.”
The comments come amid ongoing speculation over Chiesa’s fitness, with the Liverpool forward yet to regain full form after recent injuries. Gattuso’s insistence on transparency and respect for the player’s own assessment was a clear signal that there is no internal dispute.
Beyond Chiesa, Gattuso addressed team selection and fitness issues. Leonardo Spinazzola, returning from injury, was highlighted as an example of professionalism. “At 32 years old, it’s not easy to call a player and see him arrive with this enthusiasm,” Gattuso said.
He also made light of the contrast with Fabio Cannavaro, who has already secured a World Cup qualification as Uzbekistan coach. “You perfume yourself, put gel on, and you’re already at the World Cup... and I’m here in the trenches,” he joked.
On the tactical front, Gattuso reaffirmed his flexibility, including the possibility of a three-man defence, but stressed that player welfare and form remain paramount. “A coach must be good at doing everything; my ego, I have to put it aside,” he said.
The conference closed with a reminder of the stakes ahead. “We have to go to the World Cup, and we’ll try our best,” Gattuso said, calling for focus and collective responsibility.