On the day before transfer deadline day, Chelsea announced the signing of Emerson Palmieri from AS Roma. The club’s new defender has given his first interview since joining the Blues and says that it’s a dream realized to come to Stamford Bridge. (Isn’t it always?)
“I came here because this is a great team with a great history. Today I am realizing one of my dreams to pull on the shirt of such a great club.”
The Brazilian has spent the last three-plus years in Serie A and says that playing under Antonio Conte, a coach well-versed in the Italian game and philosophy, should help improve his game.
“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.
Now I am definitely going to improve here at Chelsea under Antonio Conte. He is someone who has already shown that he is a great coach and everyone who plays with him improves, so I am coming to Chelsea with this perspective, that I am going to be playing with one of the best coaches in the world and I am going to get better.”
In addition to this first interview, Chelsea TV also produced this nifty behind the seen look at his first day.
WHEN EMERSON BECAME A BLUE!Go behind the scenes on the day Emerson Palmieri became a Blue!
Posted by Chelsea Football Club on Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Emerson’s time at Roma overlapped with that of summer signing Antonio Rüdiger in 2016-2017. The prospect of linking up with Toni is yet another thing that’s making Emerson very happy.
“Toni and I played for a couple of years together at Roma and they were great years. All I can say about him is that he is an extraordinary guy and a great player, and he has already shown that here at Chelsea, so I could not be happier to be back alongside him.”
The 23-year-old, who should be past his knee injury and thus ready to compete with Marcos Alonso for the left wing-back role, closed his first interview with a message to the fans.
“The best message I can give to Chelsea fans is that, here you have Emerson. A player who is going to give his absolute all out on the pitch and make you proud.”
-Emerson; source: Chelsea FC
Sounds good!