Out-of-favour defensive star opens the door for Chelsea exit in the summer

Transfer News: Emerson Palmieri could exit Chelsea

According to transfer news from Daily Mail, Emerson Palmieri has given hints of an exit from Chelsea next season. The out-of-favour left-back refused to commit his future to the Premier League side amidst links to Inter Milan and Napoli.

There were exit links in January 2020 but Frank Lampard refused to sanction a sale. Emerson has been underused ever since Lampard took over and the arrival of Ben Chilwell did nothing to help that cause.

With Marcos Alonso also at the club and Cesar Azpilicueta able to put in a shift at left-back, it seemed like Emerson’s days at the club were numbered.

Chelsea v Atletico Madrid – UEFA Champions League – Round of 16 – Second Leg – Stamford Bridge Chelsea s Emerson Palmieri centre celebrates scoring their side s second goal of the game during the Champions League round of 16 second leg match at Stamford Bridge, London. Picture date: Wednesday March 17, 2021.

When Alonso fell out of favour, Emerson was given sporadic chances. However, on Tuchel’s appointment, Alonso was straightaway restored as the first-choice wing-back, with even Ben Chilwell struggling for game time.

Emerson has struggled massively to get any sort of game time this season. He has played a grand total of 778 minutes, with most of them coming in cup competitions. That has led to speculation about his future and he has kept the door open for a potential exit.

Barnsley v Chelsea FA Cup 11/02/2021. Fifth Round Chelsea defender Emerson Palmieri 33 during the FA Cup 5th round match between Barnsley and Chelsea at Oakwell, Barnsley, England on 11 February 2021.

‘It’s still early to talk about the future. I am focused on the national team only. We’ll see what happens in June. Chelsea can go all the way in the Champions League and the FA Cup. We can win something this season.’

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Given his age and experience, Emerson should be playing week in week out. That is clearly impossible at Chelsea due to the presence of Alonso and Chilwell. With a modest valuation set for him, it would not be much of a surprise if he were to exit the club this summer.