2 hours ago The determination marks a accelerated emergence for Palestra, who has progressed from Italy's 3rd tier with Atalanta's under-23 broadside to Chelsea successful the abstraction of 3 years.
He made his elder Atalanta debut successful the Europa League successful December 2023, but it was his indebtedness spell astatine Cagliari past play that accelerated his development, culminating successful his elder debut for Italy during the high-pressure World Cup play-offs.
At Cagliari, Palestra attempted 73 dribbles implicit distances of much than 5m - the astir by immoderate defender successful Serie A - with lone Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz signaling much successful the competition.
Palestra's 70 palmy dribbles were the highest of immoderate defender crossed Europe's apical 10 leagues, portion helium won 15 fouls successful the last third, the joint-most by a defender successful Europe's apical 5 leagues past season, according to Opta data.
No subordinate successful Serie A covered much region astatine sprinting velocity during his indebtedness spell astatine Cagliari.
It was a run successful which Palestra went from spot to strength. Former Cagliari sporting manager Guido Angelozzi, who signed him past summer, told BBC Sport the nine faced beardown contention from crossed Italy and Europe to unafraid his services.
Angelozzi said they provided Palestra with the "right environment" to vie astatine a precocious level nether pressure, portion besides allowing him the state to marque mistakes. He added that Chelsea, on with different starring European clubs, had sought quality references.
He said: "The archetypal happening that struck maine was his maturity. He is simply a precise funny young antheral - ever consenting to listen, yet with a beardown personality.
"He trained with strength and perpetually sought to improve. He is polite, level-headed and precise superior astir his regular work. These are traits that inevitably construe connected to the pitch."
Chelsea watched Palestra for much than a year. They volition cognize they are signing an attack-minded defender and are encouraged by Palestra's versatility - helium tin play astatine full-back oregon wing-back and began his vocation successful cardinal midfield.
His accomplishment whitethorn besides beryllium the archetypal hint that Alonso volition play a back-three strategy astatine Stamford Bridge, having utilized it to large effect erstwhile starring Bayer Leverkusen to their archetypal Bundesliga rubric successful 2024.
Angelozzi added: "As a player, Marco combines method prime with footballing intelligence. He has a large consciousness of timing, the quality to work situations and a earthy easiness successful making decisions nether unit - qualities that are uncommon astatine his age.
"But what I admit astir is his willingness to marque sacrifices. He is simply a subordinate who works for the team, accepts tactical instructions and ne'er rests connected his laurels.
"Like each young players, helium inactive has country to grow, but the instauration is precise solid. If helium maintains this mindset, I judge helium has each the qualities to physique a top-level career.
"Today helium is simply a much complete, mature subordinate and, supra all, mentally acceptable to measurement up to an adjacent higher level."
Chelsea volition instrumentality encouragement from having secured Palestra contempt beardown involvement from Inter Milan, portion Atalanta had been keen to clasp him and clubs including Juventus, Napoli and Roma were linked with a determination implicit the past six months.
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