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Triple European Champion Emerson (Champions League, Super Cup, Euro 2020/1) has today joined French top division side Olympique Lyonnais, with both clubs confirming the season-long loan that looked like an actual transfer for a hot minute, but will be just a temporary arrangement after all — for a €500k fee (with another €500k in potential bonuses).
Lyon have a confirmed buy-option, possibly as high as €15m, included. Meanwhile, Emerson has also confirmed that he has two years left on Chelsea contract in a recent interview with ESPN Brasil, so we had already extended his contract before this move, even.
Good luck for the season ahead, @emersonpalmieri.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 19, 2021
Somewhat surprisingly, given Emerson’s general lack of involvement since pretty much day one after arriving at Chelsea in January 2017 — just 71 appearances in 3.5+ seasons, less than half of which, 33, have come in the Premier League — this will be his first stint in the Loan Army.
Lyon finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season and have gotten off to a rather poor start. They are winless in the first two games of the season and were at the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline against Angers SCO last weekend. Ouch.
Good luck, Emerson!