“Unfortunately I’m not playing at Chelsea” – Player hints at Blues exit, potentially as soon as January

For the past year, we’ve lost count of how many stories from the Italian media have claimed Chelsea fullback Emerson Palmieri could return to Serie A.

The 26-year-old has been linked to several clubs, and even though the move never happened, the rumours won’t fade away.

Currently with the Italian national team, Palmieri spoke to the local media in a press conference on Friday, and couldn’t avoid being asked about his future.

“Here at the national team I play, I have fun and I’m fine,” said Emerson Palmieri (via Calcio Mercato).

“The coach told me that the best solution for me is to play, at Chelsea or in another team, let’s wait for the next two months and see what will happen.”

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Then quizzed about a potential return to Italy, he said: “Unfortunately I’m not playing at Chelsea, but I’m calm, I think things can improve in London or in another place. There was some interest in me but not concrete things. I’d like to return to play in Italy but I can’t say if it will happen in January or in five years.”

It’s Calcio Mercato who covers the quotes, and they add some information to it. The website claims that Inter Milan and Juventus are both interested in the signing, but can’t afford a move in January. So the clubs would need to find a deal with Chelsea for a loan with a buying clause, which could be obligatory or not.

Emerson Palmieri was only used by Blues manager Frank Lampard four times this season, none of them in the Premier League.