Chelsea ‘not going to deprive themselves’ of Emerson with Alonso in shop window — reports

Despite a hamstring injury that caused him to miss almost two months earlier this season, Emerson Palmieri has made 2 more appearances and has played 200 more minutes than fellow left back Marcos Alonso — and that trend is put into stark relief when we consider that Alonso has made just one (1!) appearance in the last two months (albeit a rather successful one away at Spurs).

Clearly, Frank Lampard prefers Emerson from the pair of them, although often Chelsea are best served by playing Cesar Azpilicueta at left back instead (and Reece James on the right).

Accordingly, with both left backs linked to January moves, it’s Alonso who appears more likely to leave, even if he’s the one with the bigger and longer contract. That situation is corroborated by Matt Law’s latest in the Telegraph, which positions Chelsea as being “open to offers” for the 29-year-old. The report doesn’t offer anything beyond just a vague interest from Inter Milan however as far as potential suitors are concerned.

More solid information is available regarding Emerson’s situation, thanks to his agent who has been talking with FCInterNews over in Italy.

“Chelsea are not going to deprive themselves of Emerson Palmieri at this moment. He is happy in London and therefore he will not change teams now.”

-Fernando Garcia; source: FCInterNews

So there you have it. Emerson stays, and if anyone goes, it’s Alonso. But considering his wages and his contract, that’s going to take some creative negotiating (although we should be well versed in such talks by now).