Emerson Palmieri of Chelsea in action against Manchester City.
According to Foot Mercato (h/t Football London), Chelsea are set to welcome Emerson Palmieri back to Stamford Bridge after it has emerged that Lyon will not activate the option to sign him on a permanent deal.
The Italian defender left the Blues for Lyon on a temporary switch in search of regular game time. Following Ben Chilwell’s long-term injury, Thomas Tuchel tried to recall the left-back in January but the move did not materialize.
The 27-year-old has impressed for the French outfit this season, making 29 appearances across all competitions. It comes as a surprise that Lyon don’t want to make the deal permanent considering his impact on the team. However, Chelsea fans may well be glad that the left-back is returning to the club.
The Blues would be wise to keep the Italian in their ranks for next season considering how much they have struggled with injury issues in the wing-back positions this season. Emerson may want to be at a club where he is a regular starter but Chelsea could do with keeping him in the squad at least until Chilwell returns.
And even beyond that, Emerson could find regular playtime in a Chelsea shirt given Marcos Alonso’s age. The Spaniard has always been a force to reckon with when going forward but now 31, it has seemed like he is on the wane.
The former Roma man, meanwhile, has a contract with the Blues until 2023 and Chelsea still have time before they start panicking about losing him on a free. Keeping Emerson may also eliminate the need to go out and bring in reinforcements down the left-hand side, if the club did ever decide to do it.
Chelsea have struggled with injuries this season, especially in the wing-back regions. Ben Chilwell has been a long-time absentee after rupturing his ACL. Alonso has suffered from a bout of Covid recently, forcing the German manager to play the likes of Saul, Malang Sarr and Callum Hudson-Odoi in those positions.
Reece James has also been injured for months and only made his return recently, before getting injured again. Callum Hudson-Odoi, who has filled in at right-wing-back, is also suffering from an injury. This has left the Blues extremely short of options.
In such a situation, keeping Emerson as backup is not a bad call. However, it remains to be seen if he will be happy with such a role. A UEFA Euros winner with Italy last summer, his quality is not up for debate.
In Emerson, Chelsea have a player they know very well and who is adept at playing as an advanced wing-back. He could provide a valuable rotational option for the Blues and we would be smart to keep him beyond this summer.
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