Antonio Conte has confirmed what plenty of people suspected: Emerson Palmieri will get a long awaited league debut against Burnley tomorrow night.
Speaking in his usual prematch press conference, Conte discussed the fact that he was going to have to make several changes with the semi final against Southampton coming up this weekend. He wasn’t too forthcoming about what they might be, except when it came down to the Italian full back.
“Tomorrow, Emerson will play. He’s ready in the physical and tactical aspect. I don’t know if he’s able to play two games in three days. But tomorrow for sure he will play against Burnley.”
Emerson Palmieri will start his first game since mid-February tomorrow against Burnley. It will also be his first league start for Chelsea. #CFC
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) April 18, 2018
Marcos Alonso is starting a three game ban for his stamp on Shane Long, so he was out of the picture. Emerson is the only real alternative in that position, so perhaps it’s no surprise that he has been confirmed as coming in.
The doubt Conte cast over whether he would be able to play twice in such a short period is also interesting. It makes it sound pretty likely that we will see either Davide Zappacosta or Victor Moses playing on the left while the other is on the right. Unless Emerson impresses everyone with his ability to recover in a short period.
