What started as a difficult campaign for Chelsea ended up on an incredibly high note, as Thomas Tuchel – who took over from club legend Frank Lampard in the middle of the season – led The Blues towards their second Champions League title. Despite the great triumph, the German tactician is still expected to ring some changes to the squad during his first summer transfer market in West London. Several members of the roster were rarely deployed and are expected to leave by the end of the season, and some of them would be extremely suitable to Italian football. So here are three Chelsea players who should try to work out a move towards Serie A.
Emerson Palmieri (Left-Back)
The Italo-Brazilian rose to prominence at Roma, but his big move to the Premier League has thus far failed to take his career into the next level.
The former Santos man played as a starter for a short while during Maurizio Sarri’s reign, but has largely been used a substitute to Marcos Alonso. And with Ben Chilwell’s arrival last summer, his stock within the club kept falling.
Nonetheless, the left-back proved that he can still perform well whenever called upon, especially with the Italian national team, where he has the trust of his manager Roberto Mancini.
The Azzurri star is expected to leave Chelsea this summer – especially with his contract expiring in a year – and a return to Serie A makes the most sense at the moment.
Whilst Inter are reportedly interested in the player, Napoli are in dire need for a new left-back this summer.
Preferable Destination: Napoli (Full transfer)
Emerson Palmieri remains Napoli's top choice to bolster their left wingback position. One thing holding up a potential move is Palmieri's high salary.
? Gazzetta dello Sport pic.twitter.com/oIaBPHYU4M
— Campania Calcio (@CampaniaCalcio) June 16, 2021
Davide Zappacosta (Wingback)
Another wide player who did well in Serie A, but struggled for game-time at Chelsea. After an injury-plagued season on loan at Roma (in 2019/20), the Italian enjoyed a terrific campaign at Genoa.
The former Torino and Atalanta can play on either flank and was one of the most underrated players in the league in the past year.
With the Nerazzurri considering the sale of Achraf Hakimi due to their financial troubles, Zappacosta could be a less glamorous yet effective replacement – and his ability to to play on the left is undoubtedly a plus.
Preferable Destination: Inter (Full transfer)
Chelsea are willing to offer Emerson Palmieri and Davide Zappacosta as part of a player-plus-cash deal for Achraf Hakimi this summer – 'less substance' of Andreas Christensen being included in any potential deal.
[ @Gazzetta_it via @SempreIntercom ]
— BlueSoldiersFC ?? (@BlueSoldiersFC) June 10, 2021
Olivier Giroud (Center Forward)
Here’s an awkward transfer saga. The Frenchman was expected to leave The Blues once his contract expired by the end of the season. However, the management decided to trigger an extension clause for one additional year.
Nonetheless, it was later revealed than this renewal doesn’t rule out a move for the 2018 World Cup winner, but the club was merely ensuring that he won’t be be signing for one of their EPL rivals as a free agent.
Therefore, the striker can still end up joining Milan – who are looking to sign a backup for the often-injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Chelsea could be even willing to sanction a free transfer towards Serie A.
Even though the Rossoneri will eventually have to sign a younger alternative for the Swedish legend, it wouldn’t make sense to make a big investment in this role at the moment, only to use him as a backup for a 40-year-old striker.
In this regard, the former Montpellier and Arsenal man would be the right profile for the vacant position.
Preferable Destination: Milan (Free transfer)
AC Milan are stepping up their interest in Olivier Giroud, with the Italian giants hoping to secure a deal as early as this week.
Chelsea have only just triggered a one-year extension on the striker’s contract, but his future remains uncertain. pic.twitter.com/J1KCkxRHEU— Frank Khalid (@FrankKhalidUK) June 14, 2021