Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Chelsea are still working on the possibility to recall Emerson Palmieri from his season-long loan spell at Lyon despite the French club’s having reportedly turned down their approach.
According to a recent report from Goal, Lyon have already rejected Chelsea’s initial approach to recall Emerson in January.
The report also mentioned that the Ligue 1 side has an option to buy the 27-year-old at the end of the season, which makes it even more complicated for Chelsea to cut the loan deal short.
Obviously, the Blues will have other options, including several potential targets in the transfer market, to fill the void left by Ben Chilwell’s long-term absence.
However, Tuchel seems to really rate Emerson as he refuses to rule out the Italy International’s Stamford Bridge return in January.
“We are looking into it because we now have a new situation with Ben Chilwell,” the German told the media (via the club’s official website).
“So, of course, we look into whether we can do something and what we can do.
“One of the possibilities and the players we know and that we love as a person is Emerson, but we need to check.
“We are not into details. We are discussing and reflecting and this will go on for the coming days, maybe weeks.”
Emerson arguably safest option for Chelsea
As Tuchel pointed out, Emerson is a familiar face and it arguably makes him the safest option for Chelsea in January.
Unlike potential new left-back signings, such as Everton’s Lucas Digne and Barcelona’s Sergino Dest whom Chelsea have also been linked with, Emerson already had several months to adjust to Tuchel’s system last season.
Another on-loan left-back Chelsea could recall is Ian Maatsen who is currently on loan at Championship side Coventry City.
However, it remains unclear whether Tuchel deems the 19-year-old ready for the Premier League.
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