Liverpool star Federico Chiesa has turned down a call-up to the Italian national team for this international break.It has been revealed by Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso that the Reds winger rejected the chance to join up with the squad. Chiesa was not included in the list of players called up for Italy’s World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Norway.And that led to questions being asked to boss Gattuso about why he decided not to pick the Liverpool forward.However, the Italian legend has admitted that it was a decision taken out of his hands by the player himself.Gattuso said in a press conference: “I must respect what the player tells me. I often talk to him. “We have to respect the decisions we make and the issues we have.“We know well what we tell each other, and I must respect what the player tells me. I can’t say anything else.”Journalists in attendance then asked for confirmation that it was Chiesa’s decision not to take the call-up. And the Italy manager replied: “Yes, it’s already the fourth or fifth time that I’m explaining this.”Gattuso previously explained why Chiesa wasn’t selected for the October international break, saying: “The Chiesa issue is very simple. I talk to my players a lot, and I want to make that clear, a lot.“I speak every week with Fede and he knows what I think of him, but I also have to respect what the player tells me. He does not feel at 100 per cent and wants to be at 100 per cent, that is the truth.”Chiesa has not played for Italy since the round of 16 at Euro 2024GettyAnd manager Gattuso has explained his continued absence from his squadAFPWhen did Chiesa last play for Italy?Chiesa, who has picked up a total of 51 caps for Italy has not played for his country since Euro 2024. The 28-year-old last put on the Azzurri shirt on June 29, 2024 during a European Championship round of 16 defeat to Switzerland.His most recent goals for Italy came in November 2023, finding the net twice in a 5-2 win over North Macedonia.With Chiesa not in the squad again, it still leaves a place open for other attackers to come into the Italy side.And Gattuso’s collection of forwards include Gianluca Scamacca, Moise Kean, Mattia Zaccagni, Giacomo Raspadori and Matteo Politano.Italy squad for November international breakGoalkeepers: Elia Caprile (Cagliari), Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham).Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Raoul Bellanova (Atalanta), Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Matteo Gabbia (Milan), Gianluca Mancini (Roma).Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Samuele Ricci (Milan), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle).Forwards: Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Atletico Madrid), Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta), Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio).Chiesa has majorly struggled for regular game time since joining LiverpoolGettyChiesa’s lack of gametimeInstead of joining up with Italy, Chiesa will remain with Liverpool to train over the international break. He continues to struggle for regular minutes under Arne Slot, despite putting up some decent numbers off the bench. The forward has five goal contritbutions in 12 appearances this season in all competitions, winning the Reds’ Player of the Month award back in September after a fan vote. 10 of his 12 appearances have been as a substitute and he remains a second-string player for Slot’s side.Chiesa was even left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad until an injury to Giovanni Leoni opened up another spot.And he now won’t be getting some extra time on the pitch with Italy either.