Chelsea: Fans react to Emerson’s assist

Chelsea defender Emerson Palmieri has enjoyed a promising start to proceedings this term.

The Italian – who saw first-team chances limited under former manager Maurizio Sarri after making just seven Premier League starts – now appears to be first choice left-back at Stamford Bridge under Frank Lampard, starting all four of the Blues’ league games so far.

He has seemingly gone above Marcos Alonso in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge. The Spaniard, who had been a mainstay in Chelsea’s back-line under previous managers Antonio Conte and Maurizio Sarri, has been limited to a one-minute cameo against Norwich this term, as Lampard continues to show faith in his Italian rival.

Indeed, Emerson’s statistics so far this season have been extremely impressive. The 25-year-old has averaged 3.8 tackles and 2.5 interceptions in his opening four appearances for the Blues, while his pass completion rate of 84.5% (per WhoScored) leaves him just outside of Chelsea’s top five players for that statistic.

Emerson was in action for Italy last night, and continued with his impressive club form by setting up the Azzurri’s opener against Armenia with a stunning cross for Andrea Belotti to latch onto at the back post.

Here’s how Blues fans reacted to it on Twitter…