Federico Chiesa won’t let the €70m price-tag go to his head, as the Fiorentina and Italy star knows you “never stop learning.”
The winger is still only 20 years old, but already has 63 Serie A appearances under his belt, with nine goals and 12 assists.
He made his debut against Juventus in August 2016, facing Gigi Buffon – who was his father Enrico’s teammate when the now Viola star was born.
Federico Chiesa won’t let the €70m price-tag go to his head, as the Fiorentina and Italy star knows you “never stop learning.”
The winger is still only 20 years old, but already has 63 Serie A appearances under his belt, with nine goals and 12 assists.
He made his debut against Juventus in August 2016, facing Gigi Buffon – who was his father Enrico’s teammate when the now Viola star was born.
“Players generally come in two categories: those who do their best if they are relaxed and those who must always give 100 per cent. I am in the second category,” Chiesa told the Corriere della Sera newspaper.
“The first rule is to keep your feet on the ground. My father told me the secret is to remain concentrated on what I’m doing, and of course I listen to him. If I got this far, it’s thanks to my family.”
Fiorentina refused to sell Chiesa this summer, slapping a €70m price-tag on the Napoli, Juventus, Inter and Premier League target.
“I am happy with what I’ve done so far, but let’s go easy when calling me a top player. I know I can do far better. I didn’t have an anxious summer, because I had already agreed with the club that I would remain in Florence. It was the best choice for me.
“Knowing I am considered to be worth this much doesn’t give me sleepless nights, nor does it change my life. Price-tags in recent years have sky-rocketed, so I simply try not to think about it.
“We’ve got to grow together, Fiorentina and I. Last season we just missed out on Europe, but while we have reinforced the squad, so have our opponents.
“I faced Cristiano Ronaldo last summer in Madrid and he does things we can only imagine, he’s like an alien. Cristiano will help Juventus to win, but also Italian football in general to expand and Carlo Ancelotti does the same at Napoli.
“As for me, people expect more of me this season and I hope to be ready for this challenge. I know that I must score more goals and provide more assists, but also improve defensively.
“(Fiorentina Coach Stefano) Pioli gave me so much advice and the 4-3-3 system should help me give my best.”
Chiesa already has five senior Italy caps too and is considered a key figure in Roberto Mancini’s plans for the future.
“Mancini is a fine Coach and I think Italy have everything it takes to climb back up and cancel out the cursed year in which we missed the World Cup. I dream, but always with my eyes open.
“I stick with what my Dad told me long ago: you only become a real player after 300 Serie A appearances. After 10 games, you learn to control your anxiety. After 30, you understand the game better. That’s why I say you never stop learning.
“I also like Giovanni Simeone’s philosophy, that nobody is born a champion. Talent alone isn’t enough, you have to work on every aspect of your game, each and every day. Nobody has as much natural talent as Leo Messi and he has never stopped working to improve either.
“The idea of playing as a trident with Simeone and Marko Pjaca intrigues us all and we’re working on it.”