the perfect time. What now?

“MANCINI IS

OUT OF THIS WORLD AS A COACH. ITALY’S RESULTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES”

CHELSEA LEFT-BACK EMERSON PALMIERI IS DESPERATE TO HELP THE AZZURRI GET OVER THE IGNOMINY OF FAILING TO QUALIFY FOR A FIRST WORLD CUP IN 60 YEARS IN 2018. HE EXPLAINS WHY THE RECORD-BREAKING ITALIANS ARE NOW A DIFFERENT PROPOSITION...

Interview Marcus Alves

How much are you looking forward to your first major tournament with

Italy this summer?

I can’t wait for the Euros – all the hard work I’ve put in over the years has been for moments like this. Unfortunately it was postponed 12 months ago – our confidence was sky-high back then, we had won 11 games in a row, which beat Italy’s record for consecutive victories, and were in great form. We can’t go back in time, though, so all we can do is find a silver lining in the middle of this – that our young players could gain more experience ahead of the tournament.

What have been your highlights so far in an Italy shirt?

The greatest one has to be finishing the qualifiers for Euro 2020 with a perfect record, achieving 10 victories from 10 games. After failing to make it to the last World Cup, those matches were really important for us – it was a moment of both relief and joy when we were able to reach that goal.

You grew up in Brazil and moved to Italy in 2014, with Palermo and later Roma. Your mother has Italian heritage – did you always want to play for the Azzurri?

It took me five months after receiving the invitation. Over that period, I woke up many times during the night thinking, ‘Should I accept it?’ The Brazilian Football Confederation had never spoken to me, though – it’s not like I’d asked them to call me up, but sometimes when we’re doing our work we need to hear some feedback, something positive. Although the Brazilian coaching staff had travelled to watch me play a couple of times, they never said a single word about what they thought. So when I chose to play for Italy, I felt assured that I was making the right decision. The country has embraced me.

Other Brazil-born players, like Thiago Motta, have also played for Italy and there are others in this squad. What’s it like in the dressing room?

We’ve got a very good group, so they received me very warmly. It certainly

helps that not only me, but also Rafael Toloi and Jorginho can communicate very well in Italian. But obviously when the three of us are together, we speak Portuguese, too – that’s never been a problem. Our dressing room is great.

Everton midfielder Allan could also have been part of it, is that right?

That’s true. He’s a close friend of Jorginho and they played together at Napoli. A little while back, Jorginho and I were in our room at the national team camp and we had a FaceTime call asking Allan when he would join us. I believe that he was really interested in becoming Italian, but then he received a call-up from Brazil and that was his decision to make.

What’s it been like to work with Azzurri boss Roberto Mancini?

The first time I came to the national team was with Gian Piero Ventura, but I didn’t get to spend much time with him. When I got back in the squad, Roberto Mancini was in charge and that has been a huge change – results speak for themselves. He’s clearly someone who knows very well what he’s doing: he’s very intelligent, an out-of-this-world coach. If I go off to spend 10 days with the team, I always know they’re going to be 10 wonderful days – we’ll have fun, laugh and chat. He makes you feel comfortable. I believe that much of the credit for our recent results has to be given to him – he’s managed to create an atmosphere that no one could imagine after we failed to secure a place at the last World Cup.

Just how good is Ciro Immobile, who’s been scoring goals for fun at Lazio?

If you blink, make no mistake: he will score. Back in my time with Roma, we always worried a lot about him in the derbies against Lazio. He has a nose for

Top The Brazil-born left-back plumped for the Azzurri after shining for Roma Middle “Coming through!”; Mancini “makes his players feel comfortable” Right Shutting out Northern Ireland Left He scored with his very first touch to help Chelsea see off Atletico Madrid

I can’t wait – all the hard work I’ve put in is for moments like this “ ”

the goal and is very dangerous inside the box, so I’m really glad to have him by my side now. Without the ball, he marks the opposition and is responsible for the initial line of pressure. He’s one of the world’s best forwards at pressing from the front.

You’re in Group A with Wales, Turkey and Switzerland. How do you view those three opponents?

We haven’t given it too much thought yet, but no team qualifies for a tournament by accident – they’ve all got players who can make the difference in any game.

As someone who plays club football in the Premier League with Chelsea, how do you rate England’s chances at this summer’s tournament?

England are a very strong team – they’ve brought in some new faces and are now rejuvenated. I don’t say this because he’s my Chelsea team-mate, but a player who has been very impressive is Mason Mount. He’s been growing a lot since last season. Despite his age, he’s quickly establishing himself as a strong influence off the field. I’m sure England will give their opponents a hard time over the next few years.