Three ways Juventus boss Allegri will use Chiesa after return from injury

Juventus star Federico Chiesa is close to returning to action, boosting Massimiliano Allegri’s options up front. Here’s how the Bianconeri could line up with the Italy international.

Chiesa has been stuck on the sidelines since January due to a severe knee injury which required surgery and Juventus hope to see him back in action before the World Cup break.

Multiple reports in Italy suggest the ex-Fiorentina winger could be included in the squad for the upcoming Serie A match against Empoli, although he is not expected to be involved in competitive games yet.

Chiesa will offer Allegri different tactical solutions once he returns. As highlighted by La Gazzetta Dello Sport, the Tuscan tactician can use the 24-year-old in multiple positions and in different systems.

Chiesa is a natural left winger who can play wide in a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 formation. Of course, he’d have fewer defensive duties in an attacking trident, while a 4-4-2 may force him to often track back to help defenders.

However, Allegri has often used the Italy international as a centre forward claiming that the 24-year-old could become a support striker in the future. This is a role he could also cover in a 3-5-2 line-up.

This use of Chiesa would also be pretty helpful to Italy CT Roberto Mancini, who has recently lined up Italy with a 3-5-2 formation that does not require attacking wingers.

Talking of 3-5-2, Chiesa played as a left wing-back at the beginning of his professional career, but it’s unlikely he will cover the same role again in the future.