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Chelsea take a justified and calculated risk in Emerson deal

By Ajitesh Rasgotra

ROME, ITALY - DECEMBER 20: Emerson Palmieri (C) of AS Roma competes for the ball with Simone Edera and Ebenezer Acquah of Torino FC during the TIM Cup match between AS Roma and Torino FC at Olimpico Stadium on December 20, 2017 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY - DECEMBER 20: Emerson Palmieri (C) of AS Roma competes for the ball with Simone Edera and Ebenezer Acquah of Torino FC during the TIM Cup match between AS Roma and Torino FC at Olimpico Stadium on December 20, 2017 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) /
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With another left wingback high on the list of Chelsea’s January priorities, the Blues have completed a deal for AS Roma’s Emerson.

In the current climate of severely inflated transfer valuations, Chelsea managed to negotiate a deal under £20 million. Tuesday saw the Blues complete the signing of AS Roma fullback Emerson Palmieri. The defender is coming off a nasty injury, but with a £17.5 million price tag, he represents a risk that is well worth taking.

Chelsea’s pursuit of various players have been rather comical this January. The rumour mill has linked them with a revolving door of talent, some markedly better than others. With the Blues brass still beavering away to sign a striker, they can be happy with their capture of Emerson.

The Brazilian had a breakout season in 2016/17. He appeared 36 times for Roma and established himself as a talented and reliable full-back. At the age of 23, he still has plenty of room to develop and improve.

However, an ACL injury picked up in May has thrown a spoke in the wheel. He only returned to the matchday squad at the end of November and he hasn’t been able to take back his starting role yet. Sitting behind the veteran, Aleksandar Kolarov, Emerson has only made one competitive appearance so far, as a 74th minute substitute.

Avid watchers of Serie A will know that £17.5 million is a bargain for the player he was in 2016/17. However, given the severity of an ACL injury, there is a huge risk. Those injuries can be career-changing and the fear is that Emerson won’t be able to return to his promising path.

Having said that, he is only 23 and his age works in his favour. A young body stands a much better chance of recovering effectively and properly than the body of a player a few years his senior.

Furthermore, Emerson is initially being brought in to support Marcos Alonso. He is not supposed to be the starting wingback. This gives him more time to get comfortable and adjust to the rigours of the English game.

At £17.5 million, this is arguably one of the best deals a club could do in January. That price allows Chelsea to essentially bring him in on probation for six months, before determining whether he is the right fit in the summer.

Next: Chelsea have one last chance for transfer market heroics: Riyad Mahrez

What do you think of the deal? Are you excited about seeing Emerson in Chelsea blue? Or are you still worrying about that second striker? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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