clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Official: Chelsea sign defender Emerson Palmieri from AS Roma

New left back in the house!

AS Roma v FC Viktoria Plzen - UEFA Europa League Photo by Silvia Lore/NurPhoto via Getty Images

For the past one and a half seasons, Chelsea have not properly addressed the issue of depth at left wing-back, which resulted, at various times, in forwards (Pedro, Kenedy), right backs (Moses, Zappacosta), and even a centre back (Azpilicueta) trying their best to back up first-choice Marcos Alonso. But at long last, the problem has been solved, with the signing of Brazilian-Italian defender Emerson Palmieri from Roma, who completed a £17.5m transfer to Chelsea today, signing a 4.5-year deal.

Emerson started his professional career at Brazilian Serie A club Santos in 2011, where he had spent his years as a youth prospect as well. His performances caught the eyes of Italian Serie A club Palermo in 2013, who acquired him on a loan-to-buy option for the 2014-15 season.

Palermo passed on their option as Emerson made fewer than 10 appearances, but in a similar arrangement, Roma were next to take a chance on him. Despite making similarly few appearances in 2015-16, Roma chose to exercise their option, perhaps motivated by the low included fee (just €2m). Their faith was repaid by a breakout season in 2016-17, which unfortunately ended with an ACL rupture in May.

Emerson recovered by November, but has only played 105 minutes of first-team football since, with Manchester City cast-off Aleksandar Kolarov entrenched in his old spot. Now, Emerson only finds himself in a battle to try to oust the most prolific goal-scoring defender in the Premier League instead.

Aged just 23, the Brazilian youth international still has many years to improve and hit his peak.

Benvenuto, Emerson! Let’s win some things.

Sign up for the newsletter Sign up for the We Ain't Got No History Daily Roundup newsletter!

A daily roundup of Chelsea news from We Ain't Got No History