EMERSON PALMIERI
The Brazil- born defender has faced a real battle for selection at Chelsea, but he’s been a regular for Italy since pledging his allegiance to the Azzurri
How much are you looking forward to your first major tournament with Italy this summer?
I can’t wait for the Euros – all the hard work I’ve put in over the years has been for moments like this. Unfortunately it was postponed 12 months ago. Our confidence was sky- high back then – we had won 11 games in a row, which beat Italy’s record for consecutive victories, and were in great form. We can’t go back in time, so all we can do is find a silver lining in the middle of this – that our youngsters could gain more experience ahead of the finals.
What have been your highlights so far in an Italy shirt?
The best one has to be finishing the qualifiers for Euro 2020 with a perfect record, achieving 10 victories from 10 games. After failing to make it to the last World Cup, those matches were important for us – it was a moment of both relief and joy when we were able to reach that goal.
You grew up in Brazil and moved to Italy in 2014, with Palermo and later Roma. Your mum has Italian heritage – was playing for the Azzurri a goal?
It took me five months after receiving the invitation. Over that period, I woke up many times in the night thinking, ‘ Should I accept?’ The Brazilian Football Confederation had never spoken to me, though – it’s not like I’d asked them to call me up, but sometimes when we’re doing our work we need to hear some feedback, something positive. Although the Brazilian coaching staff had seen me play a couple of times, they never said a word about what they thought. So when I chose to play for Italy, I felt sure I was making the right decision. The country has really embraced me.
Other Brazil- born players, like Thiago Motta, have also played for Italy and there are more in this squad. What’s it like in the dressing room?
We’ve got a very good group, so they received me very warmly. It certainly helps that not only me, but also Rafael Toloi and Jorginho can communicate very well in Italian. But obviously when the three of us are together, we speak Portuguese, too – that’s never been a problem. Our dressing room is great.
Everton midfielder Allan could also have been part of it, is that right?
That’s true. He’s a friend of Jorginho and they played together at Napoli. A while back, Jorginho and I were in our room at the national team camp and we had a Facetime call asking Allan when he would join us. I believe he was interested in becoming Italian, but then he got a call- up from Brazil and that was his decision to make.
What’s Italy boss Roberto Mancini like to work for?
The first time I came to the national team was with Gian Piero Ventura, but I didn’t spend too much time with him. When I got back in the squad, Mancini was in charge and that’s been a huge change – results speak for themselves. He’s clearly someone who knows very well what he’s doing: he’s so intelligent, an out- of- this- world coach. If I go off to spend 10 days with the Italy squad, I know they’re going to be 10 brilliant days – we’ll have fun, laugh and chat. He makes you feel really comfortable. I believe that much of the credit for our recent results has to be given to him – he’s managed to create an atmosphere that no one could have imagined after we failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Just how good is Ciro Immobile?
If you blink, make no mistake: he will score. Back in my time with Roma, we always worried a lot about him in the derbies against Lazio. He has a nose for the goal and is dangerous inside the box, so I’m glad to have him by my side now. Without the ball, he marks the opposition and is responsible for the initial line of pressure. He’s one of the best at pressing from the front.
You were linked with Juventus and Inter in January – was a deal close?
I didn’t receive a firm offer. I’ve always said I want to stay at Chelsea. Maybe because I haven’t been playing much, people think I want to go, but I remain calm and happy at Stamford Bridge, making the most of any chance I get.
Mancini, on the other hand, has said that the best thing for you would be moving to a Serie A club.
We talked about it in October. At the time, he said that perhaps it would be best for me to return to Italy, or move to a team where I’d play more. He feels I’ve still got a lot of potential to grow, and therefore wants to see me playing. But sometimes in football, it doesn’t depend on me. All I can do, whenever I play for the Azzurri, is show him that I deserve to be there.
How have you found Thomas Tuchel?
The first day he arrived, he told me that I was important for him. He knows how to handle the dressing room. He’s very sincere and says the things that need to be said – it doesn’t matter if you are playing well or not. Last season he led Paris Saint- Germain to the Champions League final, and now we have to take advantage of his knowledge.
We hear you love Football Manager...
I’ve always played it with my brother. At Chelsea, David Luiz and Willian got interested too, and now there’s a new member to our gang, Thiago Silva. It’s a game that I love – everyone has fun with it, especially during our away trips.
What’s been your best achievement?
Taking the Brazilian side Operario from the third tier to the top flight. That was my best and most difficult work!