Chelsea’s plan A for left-back crisis falls through with loanee set to stay in France

Chelsea’s diminishing title chase took yet another blow on Wednesday as the Blues were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton and Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge. 

Thomas Tuchel’s side had lead for large parts after Romelu Lukaku’s second goal in two matches, but a late equaliser from Danny Welbeck put another dent in the Blues’ title hopes and leaves them eight points behind leaders Manchester City.

Welbeck’s strike was the tenth goal that Chelsea have conceded in their last eight league matches, after conceding just four goals in their first 12 matches of the season.

Now, Tuchel has been haded yet more bad news, with French club Lyon refusing to let Emerson Palmieri return to London midway through his loan spell.

The Italian left-back is on a season-long loan deal with the Ligue 1 side, however Lyon have refused to let the player return to Chelsea in the wake of Ben Chilwell’s injury, as per L’Equipe via Get Football News France.

Emerson was part of the Italy squad that were triumphant at Euro 2020 this summer

The Englishman has been ruled out for the remainder of this season after requiring surgery on a cruciate ligament injury, leaving only Marcos Alonso as a recognised left wing-back in Tuchel’s squad.

Both Emerson and youngster Ian Maatsen, who is on loan with Coventry City, had been linked with possible returns to Stamford Bridge, however it appears that the former won’t be going anywhere as the Blues have no recall clause in the deal.

Emerson acted as a back up to Marcos Alonso in recent seasons before Chilwell’s arrival at Stamford Bridge last summer, and was therefore used even more sparingly last season.

Over the summer, the Italian was therefore loaned to Lyon with an option-to-buy clause inserted into the defender’s deal.

Lyon’s refusal to let Emerson leave the club is likely due to his importance to the club so far this term.

The 27-year-old has played 15 Ligue 1 games so far, and has also featured in three of the club’s Europa League fixtures.