The Blues had hoped to sign Alex Sandro last summer but they have now signed his compatriot despite the fact that he has barely played in recent weeks
"When I arrived at Roma," Emerson Palmieri reminisced, "nobody knew who I was." It could be a similar story for the Brazilian now that he has touched down in London to join Chelsea.
Before the season began, the Blues had high hopes of signing Alex Sandro, Juventus' rampaging left-back. Now, midway through the 2017-18 campaign, they have instead brought in Emerson, a reserve at Roma.
Chelsea fans could, therefore, be forgiven for asking not only who Emerson is, but why their club has paid £17.