Roberto Mancini has made it clear he would like to see Emerson Palmieri leave Chelsea and return to Italy.
Emerson, 25, has been unable to establish himself as a first-team regular for the Blues since arriving from Roma in January 2018.
He has started just 23 Premier League matches and several Italian clubs have been linked with him during the last couple of transfer windows.
And Italy boss Mancini has made it clear he would like to see the left-back return to Serie A and play regular first-team football ahead of the European Championships, which are now due to take place next year.
“As for the full-backs, we knew Adam Masina, although he disappeared off the radar a bit after his move to Watford,” Mancini told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Luca Pellegrini already spent time with the senior squad and he can improve.
“It would be nice if Emerson Palmieri, who hasn’t played much for Chelsea, could come and play in Italy.”
Emerson’s departure looks inevitable
It seems a question of when not if Emerson leaves Chelsea.
He’s had his moments for the club but overall has been unable to consistently keep a place in the side – even up against an out-of-form Marcos Alonso or out-of-position Cesar Azpilicueta.
Reports in Italy strongly suggest that Juventus’ former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is keen to sign Emerson this summer.
That link with Juve just won’t go away and it seems likely that the player will end up moving to Turin.