Why Emerson Palmieri deserves a run in the first Chelsea team ahead of Marcos Alonso

The victory in the Carabao Cup semi-final on Thursday night against the Spurs was a turning point for Chelsea in many ways. He saw the Blues perform their most energetic and charismatic performance we've seen for weeks; Eden Hazard released from its nine fake chains to loot the Spurs' defense and, perhaps most intriguingly, as long as Chelsea fans had Emerson Palmieri.

Undeniably a panic purchase of Antonio Conte last January, the Italian international born in Brazil has hardly been presented since. The few tournaments of the Europa League are here, a symbolic gesture, nothing substantial, and performances that are better than shrugs of indifference. But Thursday night, Emerson was looking forward to impressing Blues fans from the start.

But first, let's talk about the elephant in the room: Marcos Alonso.

Alonso defied expectations when he arrived at Stamford Bridge with little noise and fanfare in 2016. A former owner of Sunderland, whose only other experience of English football was at Bolton Wanderers, the general consensus was that the Spaniard would be an alternative – ready to hold the fort until a prestigious signature as Alex Sandro purposely scrolls in the city.

Launched right in the left-back with three central defenders behind him, Alonso is forced on himself. He bombarded the flank with confidence and scored dozens of free kicks. Although the latter has made him a legend of Fantasy Football, he concealed perhaps a real weakness in his game: the defense. Whether we like it or not, the fins, it's absolutely necessary.

Nevertheless, he became a Premier League champion by May, with the crack well upholstered more than. A hard 2017/18 campaign followed for all those interested in SW6 (with the exception of the FA Cup victory), but the general consensus between Blues The fans were always that Alonso was a valuable badet to the team.

As Conte became Chelsea's last manager to follow the twilight, Alonso became cruelly exposed in the more clbadic back-berth of the crunchy new boss, Maurizio Sarri. With David Luiz still prone to spontaneous outbursts of reckless behavior, Alonso had to master his game; let's face it, it did not work.

And it's not just his defensive struggles; He has also been an absolute disciplinary responsibility. So far this season, the 28-year-old has collected four yellow cards, clumsy tackles and moments of real petulance are starting to slip into his game. Maybe Alonso has become complacent without true competition for its place – but now, all that could change.

I think it was the moment when Emerson sat down Davinson Sánchez, like he was a tempestuous toddler being sent for a much needed nap, that the old Roma man finally arrival at Stamford Bridge. Overflowing from the wing, he outclbaded the Colombian before playing a sumptuous Cross for Olivier Giroud. Alas, he has eaten his lines, but no matter.

And it's not just this moment – throughout the match he's been resilient, cunning and disciplined – the ideal ingredients for a hot local derby. While his teammates lost their heads during a second half of uproar – even, my dear, sweet N 'Golo Kanté was getting mad – Emerson remained calm, blossoming in the heathome atmosphere of the thrilling encounter.