Chelsea ‘have request to recall Emerson Palmieri from his loan at Lyon REJECTED’, with Thomas Tuchel eager to secure cover for injured Ben Chilwell next month
- Chelsea decided Ben Chilwell needs surgery and will miss the rest of the season
- Emerson Palmeiri was allowed to join Lyon on loan in the summer window
- Now L’Equipe claim the Ligue 1 side have rejected a request for him to return
- The west London outfit do not have a formal recall clause in the agreement
Lyon have rejected Chelsea’s request to recall Emerson Palmieri from his loan spell, according to reports in France.
The Blues are desperate to secure cover at left-back after Ben Chilwell was ruled out for the rest of the season after Chelsea decided the ACL injury he sustained against Juventus last month needs surgery.
Italy international Emerson was deemed surplus to requirements in the summer and was allowed to join Ligue 1 side Lyon on a one-year loan deal in August.
Lyon have reportedly rejected Chelsea’s request to recall Emerson Palmieri from his loan spell
Ben Chilwell (third from right) is out for the rest of the season after needing surgery
However, L’Equipe via Get French Football News claim the Blues recently tried to bring the 27-year-old back from his spell early, only to see that request turned down by the French outfit.
The report adds Emerson is on loan with an option to buy at the Groupama Stadium and that the west London outfit do not have a formal recall clause in the agreement.
The news will come as a blow to the Blues, who could now look to Lucas Digne of Everton and Ajax’s Nicolas Tagliafico after they emerged as targets.
Reports in Italy meanwhile claim Chelsea have made contact with AC Milan over a deal for Theo Hernandez.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is therefore desperate to add cover in the January market
Chelsea have reportedly contacted AC Milan over the availability of left back Theo Hernandez
Hernandez, regarded as one of the best full backs in Europe, is contracted to the San Siro club until 2024 and is currently in talks over an extension to keep him with the Italians until 2026.
That has reportedly led the Italian giants to slap a £50million price tag on the French defender.
Emerson meanwhile extended his stay at Stamford Bridge until 2023 before heading out on loan to France.
The 27-year-old has enjoyed a successful loan spell at Lyon in the first half of this season, scoring once in 15 Ligue 1 appearances, but was sent off in the 1-1 draw with Saint-Etienne in October.
Emerson meanwhile has made 71 appearances for Chelsea, scoring twice, since joining from Roma in January 2018.
Lucas Digne of Everton (L) and Ajax’s Nicolas Tagliafico (R) have emerged as targets
