Emerson Palmieri dos Santos (born 3 August 1994), known as Emerson Palmieri (Italian pronunciation: ) or simply Emerson, is a professional footballer who plays for Premier League club Chelsea and the Italy national football team. Mainly a left back, he has been deployed as a left wing back and a left midfielder on occasion.
Internationally, Emerson played for his native Brazil at under-17 level, but later declared his desire to represent Italy, having been granted Italian citizenship in 2017. He has since been called up to the Italy national team, making his senior international debut with the side in 2018.
Born in Santos, São Paulo, Emerson finished his formation in local Santos' youth categories, and made his first team debut on 17 April 2011, coming on as a late substitute for Keirrison in a 3–0 Campeonato Paulista home win against Paulista. His first start occurred on 21 January 2012, in a 1–1 away draw against XV de Piracicaba. In February, he returned to the youth team, but he was called up to the match against Mogi Mirim in the following month. He also appeared against Ituano and Paulista, as the club was crowned champions of Paulistão for the third consecutive time.