Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has hinted that Emerson Palmieri may keep his place at left-back against Spurs tomorrow evening.
At today’s pre-match press conference, the Blues head coach was asked about Marco Alonso’s absence from the squad in the Carabao Cup final.
Sarri revealed that he doesn’t usually select a reserve left-back on the bench and Emerson is fully deserving of his place in the starting eleven:
Sarri reports that Marcos Alonso was not on the bench on Sunday as he did not want a left-back among the subs. He says that has been the case also with Emerson. He adds that Emerson is playing well at the moment; he is in a good mental and physical condition. #CHETOT
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) 26 February 2019
Fans believe this suggests that the Italian fullback will keep his position in the team ahead of Alonso when they face Tottenham:
Best news I have heard this week
— Kobby JONES?? (@Ran_Acquah) 26 February 2019
Lol it means Alonso is dropped for good ???
— ?ΩỮ€€Ň ŞΔŇĐ¥? (@QueenSandy_CFC) 26 February 2019
Emerson needs to start tomorrow. No ifs No buts.
Only way to stop Son!!
— Singa (@PBX1_ChelseaFC) 26 February 2019
Emerson >
— Murphy (@BallerMurphy) 26 February 2019
#JusticeForEmerson working like magic
— Olawale Adigun (@Olawarrley) 26 February 2019
Finally u realized it omg . Sarri sarri sarri ????
— Aatef (@AatefCFC) 26 February 2019
God Please keep using him.
— Rasen (ラズン) (@RasenRendanX) 26 February 2019
Emerson!!!
????— CHEF×Tee™ (@Toluwae_) 26 February 2019
— PodOfTwoHalves (@PodOfTwoHalves) 26 February 2019
Emerson should start playing week in weekout
— samuelyeboah (@sam_bigtee) 26 February 2019
Just keep emerson on the first 11 for the rest of the season.
— R I S Y Λ D (@taplaks) 26 February 2019
Despite the furore surrounding Kepa, Sarri would have taken a lot out of the shootout defeat to Manchester City.
Particularly defensively, Chelsea showed a steeliness that was conspicuous by its absence in the 6-0 drubbing they had received at the hands of the same opposition just a couple of weeks earlier.
A crucial part of that was Emerson’s good performance at Wembley, and there is very little reason to take him out of the side in the kind of form he is in.
