It was announced yesterday that Chelsea defender Emerson Palmieri is officially jumping ship from Chelsea to West Ham United. The Italian international player has just signed a four-year contract, with another option for a fifth year.
Emerson, born in Brazil and later became a naturalised Italian citizen after playing football for Italy since 2014. In 2017, he officially became Italian and was a member of Italy’s Euro 2020 team. While in there he earned 27 caps.
News reports stated that West Ham has spent more than £13 million in purchasing Emerson.
He transferred from his previous club, AS Roma to Chelsea all the way back in 2018. Unfortunately for him, he was unable to be a regular player for the club and instead was leased to Lyon in France.
West Ham United Manager, David Moyes praised Emerson’s long list of experiences and winning mindset. Those of which he developed while playing for Chelsea and Italy for almost a decade.
He contributed in 71 games across all leagues representing Chelsea. West Ham United manager, David Moyes stated “We are very pleased to welcome Emerson to West Ham United,”
“He is an experienced player with a good pedigree. He will give us strong competition in defensive areas and brings a winning mentality that we are looking to build here at West Ham,” Moyes added.
Furthermore, Emerson is more than happy joining a new club that would potentially give him more spotlight than Chelsea did. Emerson will apparently wear the number 33 shirt for West Ham.
“I’m very happy to be here and to arrive here.” “It’s a big challenge for me, it’s a big team, so I’m very happy to be here and I’m ready.
“Personally, since the first day I arrived here in England, I always saw the big clubs and I always watched the big games and I knew the history about West Ham,” said Emerson.
However, all good news will always be accompanied by sad ones, such as Emmanuel Longelo, who is the current defender for West Ham United is soon to leave the club. Moyes apparently does not think too much of him and it’s clear Emerson is his replacement.
The left-back situation for West Ham has been a concern for the team’s manager, and has spent all summer this year looking for a suitable replacement for Longelo.