Roberto Mancini urges Chelsea star to make the return to Italy

Italy manager Roberto Mancini has urged Chelsea defender Emerson to make the return to the Serie A in order to enhance his prospects of representing the national team. The left-back was in good form for club and country at the beginning of the campaign but he unfortunately picked up a thigh injury on international duty.

Since then, the 25-year-old has been unable to cement a regular starting role with the Blues and there are already suggestions that he could head through the exit door in the summer. In a recent interview, Mancini has urged Emerson to make the comeback to Italy, having barely played for the Blues during the backend of the campaign.
“As for the full-backs, we knew Adam Masina, although he disappeared from the radar a bit after his move to Watford. Luca Pellegrini already spent time with the senior squad and can improve. It would be nice if Emerson Palmieri, who hasn’t played much for Chelsea, could come and play in Italy,” he told.

Emerson and Marcos Alonso are the specialist left-backs at Chelsea but manager Frank Lampard has preferred to go with Cesar Azpilicueta in the position on numerous occasions this term. When compared to Emerson, Alonso has recently redeemed himself with three goals since February and it appears likely that the former will part ways with the club.

The west London side are planning to recruit a new left-sided defender this term and reports have suggested that Ben Chilwell could be the prime target. The Leicester City ace has been linked with the club for the past few months but the Foxes are quite clear that he won’t come on the cheap and have placed a £80m price tag for the summer. Chelsea are currently occupying a Champions League position in fourth with 48 points on the board.