Rio Ferdinand left gutted over Man Utd’s failure to sign Federico Chiesa

Rio Ferdinand has admitted that several Premier League sides would've been left gutted by their failure to sign Juventus and Italy star Federico Chiesa during the summer transfer window.

The former Manchester United and England defender has been left very impressed by what he has seen of the 23-year-old forward, who scored the winning goal against Chelsea on Wednesday.

Having also helped Italy to Euro 2020 glory, there was interest in Chiesa from abroad, but he remained at Juventus on loan from Fiorentina with an obligation to buy next summer.

Following his match-winning display against Thomas Tuchel's men, Ferdinand has insisted that those who may have been thinking about a move for Chiesa in the summer will now be feeling gutted.

He told BT Sport: "He’s a huge player and he’s been linked with a few clubs in England. I’m sure they’re thinking 'why didn’t we get him?'.

"He’s just a fantastic footballer. The intensity with which he plays with, we saw in the Euros he was the main goal threat for the Italians who went on to win the tournament.

"It’s his pace, his drive. He’s the one who is the threat, he’s potent, he wants to run in behind.

"He’s that modern day striker who can play anywhere across the front line and he’s as comfortable out wide as he is through the middle. He unnerves defenders with that pace, he’s so direct."

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Chiesa managed 34 goals across 153 appearances for Fiorentina between 2016 and 2020, joining then-Serie A champions Juventus during the tenure of Andrea Pirlo.

He managed 14 goals in all competitions last season and won two domestic cups, but failed to help them to league glory with Inter Milan finishing top.

Continuing to play a key role under returning boss Massimiliano Allegri, the Italy regular has managed two goals across six appearances so far this season.

Fellow pundit Joe Cole agreed with Ferdinand, and compared Chiesa to Champions League winning striker and Liverpool hero Luis Suarez.

He said: "The biggest attribute he’s got is he plays with a humility. He’s hustling and bustling like a young Luis Suarez character, he can make something out of nothing.

"Every club in Europe will want a slice of him when he become available."

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