Giorgio Chiellini spoke candidly about his time with Los Angeles FC, his compatriots’ struggles in the MLS and his desire to return to Juventus in the future.
The 39-year-old Italian centre back won the MLS Cup in his first half-season with LAFC and is now gearing up to try and defend that title in the coming playoff final against Columbus Crew.
Chiellini has shined for LAFC since making the move from Juventus last year, something that cannot be said for Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi, who have both struggled this year with Toronto FC.
Speaking to Elias Burke of The Athletic, Chiellini first discussed his plans for the future, considering that his LAFC contract expires at the end of this month.
“European players often arrive to MLS in July because of the calendar, and the first year is tough. The second year is much more easy. I’m feeling much better this season than I did during the second part of last season.
“I remember last year, my first game was in Nashville, and it was 100 degrees Fahrenheit. For me, it was the first game of the new season because I finished with Juventus at the beginning of June and had a break.
“Usually, I have the preseason to manage the load, but here everyone was flying because they were in mid-season shape, the best shape of the season.”
He was asked if the MLS Cup final will be his last game before retirement.
“I don’t know, to be honest. The club is very open to me, and that’s important to me. I have to talk with the family and understand our goals. But I’ll stay in Los Angeles until June next year for sure. We’ll see.”
The veteran defender touched on the conversations he’s had with Serie A players regarding life in the MLS.
“Yes, of course. They ask me about the differences. The life, the ways football is different. It’s very different, starting from the format. Having the playoffs changes your season because you can manage a little bit more what is important.
“Once the playoffs come, the light switches for everyone and the occasion is different. The games are less open, and there’s much more concentration. In Europe, it’s different.
“If there are three games remaining of the season and we are six points ahead for the title, we have the advantage. Here, it only means home advantage in the playoffs.”
He gave his thoughts on Bernardeschi and Insigne’s struggles at Toronto FC.
“I was lucky to be chosen by this club, and I was smart to come. They arrived in MLS with a lot of expectations, but unfortunately, for many reasons that I cannot know very well, they have not been able to show their value, and they’ve created this type of legacy with the team.
“I think it’s difficult in this type of season, and arriving in this position, because you start to bring what you’ve done on the field home with you. It’s not easy to separate these things. I hope they can redeem themselves in the future, but I don’t know what will happen next season.
“They are good players, and in the right environment, and the right team, they could make a difference in this league.”
Chiellini was asked if the pair were struggling due to the cultural changes.
“We’re not just players; we’re humans with families. It’s a big move from Italy to here. I think the style of play Lorenzo was encouraged to play in was very different to what suited him. Maybe if he was able to play that tiki-taka?
“Columbus would have been perfect because he could find a lot of short passes to find his spots. The style wasn’t right for him. Federico had a small surgery at the end of last season; this season, he played better. But I think when you start to lose and lose and lose it’s very hard to lift the spirit.”
The 39-year-old gave his thoughts on Italy’s chances at Euro 2024 and their success three years ago.
“We’re in a new cycle with a new coach, and I think the future is bright. We don’t have superstars, but we didn’t have that when we won last time. We had a solid block in the middle, between me and Leo (Bonucci, ed.) and Jorginho and Verratti, Barella was growing up and Donnarumma.
“We were solid. We arrived at that tournament with almost 30 undefeated, and that’s not just those players; we changed a lot of players during that time. It takes a collective.
“I expected to arrive at the quarter-final before the tournament, and we started the group very well. Having the fans in Italy after COVID, it was only 15,000, but it was huge for us.
“We got through the group well, we were a bit lucky with Austria, but after that, we arrived where we wanted to arrive. Then we could enjoy it.”
He weighed in on the qualities of Alessandro Bastoni.
“He is very different to me, but he has huge potential. Technically, I could compare him to Bonucci. A little bit different, but that type of high-quality player.
“He has improved since he was trained by Conte on defending and consistency, but he is only 24. He could be top five or top 10, for sure. That’s huge for Italy because we always have a spine.”
The former Juventus defender was posed the idea that Italy’s spine is weaker now.
“We are leaving Verratti at home because we are trying to start a new cycle, but he’s still one of the best in the world. I hope, like Jorginho, that he can come back because he is the right player for the coach. Then our midfield is really good, Jorginho, Verratti, Barella, Locatelli, Pellegrini, Frattesi.
“We miss the No 9, but I don’t think we need one. Ciro is still a good striker, and we have the new generation with Raspadori and Scamacca, I hope someone can arrive in good shape next summer. We have a good team, and I’m confident the coach will bring a new spirit.”
Chiellini was asked about the perception that Italian players struggle in the Premier League, with Gianluca Scamacca being the latest example.
“Playing in England is very hard for everyone because physically, you have to be more than 100%. It’s much better than any other league in the world. Very few players can adapt in a short time. They don’t give time to players, especially young players.
“Gianluca has played just one year in Sassuolo, and to find consistency is tough. He’s a very good player, and he deserves a little bit more time and confidence from the team, but I understand you cannot wait for players because you need to win.
“If you have another player who is better at that moment, they have to play.”
He didn’t think that that those adaption issues were due to cultural differences.
“No, I don’t think so. It would have been the same if Scamacca went to Juventus or Inter or Milan, he needed time. Probably in Italy, it’s easier because he knows the league, but West Ham are on the same level as the best team in Serie A.
“Have you seen Smalling or Tomori or Loftus-Cheek? Physically they are three times better than most players in Italy. Physically they have a supremacy that can permit them to destroy the opponents. That’s not something that is easy to figure out.”
The 39-year-old confirmed that he was never particularly close to heading to the Premier League.
“Not so close. I think in my prime, it would have been my perfect league, but you cannot go there after your prime. It’s so hard. It’s a very physical league, and you have to be at the top of your game. I don’t know how Thiago Silva is still playing there.”
He also confirmed his intentions to coach after hanging up his boots.
“My aspiration is to work more in management. I have a degree in economics and an MBA in football. The coaching takes such dedication to the job, and I don’t feel that now.”
Chiellini made it clear that he expects to return to Juventus one day.
“Yeah. I don’t want to be a liar, in my future, I see Juventus. I don’t know in what position, but it’s somewhere where I have spent almost half of my life. I’m still really connected to every one of them and I’m very happy they’re doing a good season.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to the stadium and watching them over the Christmas break, but I’m in no rush. I’m enjoying my life here with my family.”
He was asked if the Old Lady could challenge Inter for the Scudetto this season.
“They are more consistent in the league this year; that was their weakness last year. We’ll see if they are able to stay close to Inter by March.
“Maybe if Inter go far in the Champions League, they will be able to catch them. But it will be hard, the favourite now is Inter, and the underdogs are the other teams.”
Finally, Chiellini gave his thoughts on Juventus’ American duo Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah.
“They are both lovely, lovely guys. I’ve met Tim, and I know Weston very well. Tim’s had some injuries that have not permitted him to be consistent, but Weston has been strong. I’m so happy he’s earned a position and minutes in the team because he’s a good guy.
“I think the new generation of Americans are ready to play in Europe. I don’t know if they are ready to compete by 2026, and the problem by 2030 is that they will have a new generation with the older generation not at the same level.
“It’s not easy to figure out the group, then. But they have a good young team who are capable of having a good World Cup at home.”