Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte today features an interview with Chelsea fullback Emerson Palmieri.
Now back at training with the Blues, the 25-year-old has spoken a lot about their work to get in good shape and resume the season.
Palmieri has praised the work of Frank Lampard during quarantine, since he’s been very attentive to each player’s situation.
“During this time that we were not training, Lampard was a guy who cared a lot about us. Every week he had a meeting with the whole team, via the internet. He’s a very open guy, always asking what we want, how we are feeling, and has always been by our side. This makes all the difference in the team’s unity,” Emerson Palmieri told Globo Esporte.
The left-back says the Chelsea legend has been doing a great job by keeping a close relationship with all players in the squad.
“For being a young guy, for being an ex athlete, for knowing what it’s like to be on this side, he always made us feel free to say what we wanted. And it helps a lot! There is no distance between coach and player, we are together in the same job, in the same team, and we always want to think the same.”
Regarding the Premier League players who chose not to go back to training, including his Chelsea teammate N’Golo Kante, the Brazilian says he respects their decision.
“We are human beings, but we are different and we often think differently. It’s a difficult situation, we all have family, we have friends who are always with us, so, of course, there is a fear of getting the virus and transmitting it to someone you love, and that person dying. It’s a difficult situation. I respect the decision of Kante, Troy Deeney and Danny Rose, these are decisions that you need to understand, people who are not comfortable to return to training.”
Palmieri has also spoken a little about the upcoming transfer window. The Italian media has been making out of heavy coverage of his future, with stories linking him to Juventus every day. Still, he claims he shouldn’t leave the Blues this summer.
“I have a strong connection with Italy. I did a good job at Roma. So, when the transfer window opens in the middle of the year, these rumours always show up. It’s difficult to happen now, because I’m very happy here, it’s not the right time.”
