Official: Emerson to Chelsea for €20 Million

Standing in complete opposition to Edin Dzeko, Roma and Emerson Palmieri were able to make quick work of the left back’s transfer to Chelsea. There was no hemming and hawing from either side, no interjections from family members or agents, Roma simply said “Hey, this kid is good. Why don’t you take him?” And that was that. Palmieri, a 23-year-old fullback who shined for a team that is in constant need of reinforcement at that position, was jettisoned to satiate Roma’s omnipresent FFP concerns.

The deal, which was obviously made official today, will see Palmieri move to Chelsea on a permanent deal, one that will net Roma €20 million upfront with an additional €9 million in bonuses. Not a bad price considering his recent injury and short track record of success, but as we lamented upon last week, the disappointment of this move rests more with what it symbolizes; Roma’s complete and utter lack of consistency.

Speaking to Chelsea’s official site, Palmieri spoke of (of course) his childhood dream of playing in the Premiership:

I came here because it’s a great team with a great history. Today I am realising one of my dreams to pull on the shirt of such a great club.

English football is something I have been watching since I was 15 years old. It is a really beautiful game over here but it is going to be even more beautiful to play it.

Source: Chelsea

And that’s that, another one bites the dust. While we’re probably safe from any more sales this winter, you can bet your bottom dollar Emerson won’t be the last key cog out shoved out the door. The club may be a mess, but the doors to the supermarket are working in fine order.