Atalanta star Marco Palestra is on his way to Chelsea, according to many reports, and Chelsea fans are excited at the prospect of the Italy international. Even more so when they learn of his rare technique.
Inter Milan were set to complete a deal for Palestra. The Serie A champions were confident of completing a deal to land the right-back after his mercurial season on loan at Cagliari, but Chelsea hijacked a move.
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Serie A's Best Defender of 2025-26.
Palestra is now set to sign a seven-year contract at Chelsea, having been offered wages north of £100,000 a week by the Blues. Xabi Alonso personally spoke to Palestra in order to convince the Italy wonderkid.
Chelsea are paying more to land Palestra than Inter offered, and now the defender is expected to become Alonso’s first signing as Blues manager. The hype is already surrounding Serie A’s best defender in 25-26.
The rare technique Palestra uses is incredibly rare
Already, Chelsea fans are growing excited by the £43m signing. Not just because Palestra has played for his country on two occasions, or because Gigi Buffon recently branded him “something extraordinary”.
But because of all the excitement in Italy around the 21-year-old. Francesco Modesto, his coach while he was in Atalanta’s C team, said that Palestra dribbles with his weaker left foot, which confuses defenders.
Such is his weak-foot ability, Modesto told Sky Sports that his dribbling technique is rare, often bamboozling his opponents and allowing him to go both ways: “He has a dribbling ability few have.
“A right-footed player carrying the ball with his left means you never understand which way he can go. He knows how to cross with both his left and right.” Modesto continued, raving about the young defender.
What next for Acheampong, James and Gusto?
As things stand, Chelsea have three options at right-back. Reece James is first choice, Malo Gusto covers him when playing in midfield or he is injured, and Josh Acheampong comes in on the odd occasion.
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7. Josh Acheampong
6. Estevao Willian
5. Levi Colwill
4. Moises Caicedo
3. Joao Pedro
2. Reece James
1. Cole Palmer
The signing of Palestra takes that to four options at right-back and a decision will have to be made on the current three options. Chelsea would not have signed Palestra if they didn’t have a plan for James and co.
Reports say James could move into midfield under Alonso, and would no longer be considered as a right-back. It makes sense, having Chelsea’s most influential player and arguably their best, in the middle.
Acheampong is considered ‘untouchable’ alongside James in this Chelsea side, but Gusto could leave with Man City and other clubs supposedly interested. However, Chelsea are requesting a massive £75m.
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