Why Emerson Palmieri should work out to be a shrewd signing for Chelsea

Emerson

Chelsea’s January transfer window signing of Emerson Palmieri saw them not only secure a player to strengthen their squad and give Marcos Alonso vital cover, it also meant they secured a player with immense potential to improve.

Although he’s scarcely been used by Antonio Conte so far, only playing twice, where he put in an encouraging shift in Chelsea’s FA Cup rout of Hull City and appeared as a late sub in the league vs. Manchester City, he’s certainly a player used to showing patience while waiting for his opportunities.

After all, during his time at AS Roma, a stint the former Santos loanee initially started as a reserve to Lucas Digne, he illustrated his perseverance to keep toiling while waiting for his chances, before rising to prominence once getting rewarded for all his work with some vital minutes towards the end of the 2015/2016 season. He duly made the most of the minutes then Roma manager Luciano Spalletti granted him, with his shining moment being when he scored his first Giallorossi goal in a 3-1 win over AC Milan on the last day of the 2015/2016 crusade.

The Brazilian born fullback/wingback importantly carried this form into the following season, where he cemented himself as an undisputed starter, taking full advantage of Digne’s departure and Mario Rui’s injury. Amassing 36 appearances domestically and in European action, his energy, powerful running, trickery on the dribble and incisive passing stood out as he grew into one of the finest fullbacks in the division.

Unsurprisingly, during the campaign Roma secured his services permanently from Santos, as he met a clause in his contract that stated if he played 12 games or more Roma were obliged to buy him for €2 million. A fantastic deal indeed for the Romans.

Always grateful for Spalletti placing his trust in him, Emerson clearly relished playing under the tactically astute Italian who fully appreciated his talents. “With Spalletti it was different right from the start: he always showed he believed in me and that’s important to a footballer,” he explained

“When you’re picked on a consistent basis, you can play with greater freedom and that’s why you’re starting to see what I can do. I’m delighted about that.”

Capable at operating either at wingback or fullback, and even alternating between both roles during games, his adaptability was another endearing aspect of his game.

Courtesy of his consistently terrific performances, he was even called up by Italy’s national team, with him being eligible due to relatives on his mother’s side, despite being born in Brazil. But unfortunately just a couple of days after his selection, he suffered a devastating torn anterior cruciate ligament in Roma’s final game of the 2016/2017 season.

Emerson would go onto miss the best part of five months before returning to action, during which time, his loyal coach in Spalletti had departed to Inter Milan and Eusebio Di Francesco was brought in. Seeing as Emerson didn’t have the chance to impress his new boss and the fact fellow newcomer, Aleksandar Kolarov, was in tremendous form, he subsequently couldn’t get a sniff once recovered.

So when January arrived and Chelsea decided to bring him in, the move worked out nicely for all parties, with Emerson joining the Blues in a deal worth an initial £17.6 million with £7.9 million in potential add-ons. “I learned so much in Italy. Before I went there I used to be a player who just dribbled and shot at goal but what I saw there was that the tactical game can really help your performance. So now I am a better player and I think in some way that is because I managed to combine the two games, Italian and Brazilian,” the well equipped Emerson said upon arriving.

Although he’s yet to really make his mark at Stamford Bridge, you can rest assured the fiercely determined and talented Emerson’s relentless work ethic should ensure he’s a success – just like it did at Roma under Spalletti.

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