Chelsea left-back Emerson Palmieri has raised doubts over this future at the club after questioning his lack of involvement in first-team games for the Blues this season.

The 26-year-old started Italy’s 0-0 draw against Poland in the Nations League yesterday and, when he was asked about his game time at Chelsea after the match, he suggested he didn’t really feel valued like he does at international duty:

“When I arrive here I change my head. I feel important and part of the group. At Chelsea, things are not going as I wish in this part of the season. I just have to work.”

Emerson has only started one game in the Carabao Cup and hasn’t even been in a matchday squad for a league game so far this campaign. In that context, it is a pretty fair comment to make.

It remains to be seen whether he’ll get more game after the international break. Marcos Alonso has fallen out of favour after an abject display against West Brom, and with Ben Chilwell struggling with an illness, Emerson could well be in contention to play against Southampton this weekend.