New Signing Emerson Reckons Italian Connection Will Get The Job Done For Chelsea

Emerson Palmieri’s arrival at Chelsea increased the Italian contigent at the club to four – Antonio Rudiger, Davide Zappacosta and manager Antonio Conte – and the ex-Roma defender insists this will help him settle down swiftly and can only bode well for the club going forward.

The Brazil-born defender – who has declared international allegiance to Italy although he is uncapped – completed his Stamford Bridge switch on Tuesday.

“It is my first time here,” Emerson said. “From the little I’ve seen of the city it is really pretty. People have always spoken very highly to me of London. As for the club, it is absolutely sensational, one of the best clubs in the world so these are really happy times for me.

“Of course that [Italian connections] is something that is going to help me settle in better. The fact there is an Italian coach, the fact that I know some of the players, of course that is going to help.

“Toni [Rudiger] 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.

“I had already spoken with him twice last week and today as well. When I arrived here in London, he was the first person I sent a message to say that I was in the house.

“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.”