Emerson Palmieri: A 'Special' Bond with West Ham
The Italian international's friendship with Gianluca Scamacca made his move to the Hammers an easy decision
A partnership that extends deeper than football
Emerson Palmieri has revealed that his friendship with Gianluca Scamacca was a major factor in his decision to join West Ham United in August 2022. The Italian international left Chelsea after four years at Stamford Bridge to sign a long-term contract with the Hammers. And he has quickly become a key player for David Moyes' side, scoring a stunning 25-yard strike and assisting Jarrod Bowen's hat-trick in West Ham's 4-2 win over Burnley in October.
"I have a special bond with Gianluca," Emerson told the club's official website. "We met when we were both playing for Roma and we quickly became close friends. We have a lot in common and we share the same values. When I heard that he was joining West Ham, I was really excited. I knew that he would be a great addition to the team and I was looking forward to playing with him again."
Emerson and Scamacca are both products of the Roma youth academy. They made their debuts for the first team in 2016 and went on to play together for two seasons. During that time, they helped Roma win the Coppa Italia in 2017. Emerson then joined Chelsea in 2018, while Scamacca moved to Sassuolo in 2020. However, they remained close friends and were reunited at West Ham in the summer of 2022.
"I think our friendship makes us both better players," Emerson said. "We know each other's game inside out and we can anticipate each other's movements. We also have a lot of trust in each other. We know that we can rely on each other to make the right decisions on the pitch."
Emerson's arrival at West Ham has been a major boost for the team. He has added quality and experience to the Hammers' defense, and he has also chipped in with some important goals. He is quickly becoming a fan favorite at the London Stadium, and he is excited about what the future holds for him and his new club.
"I'm really happy to be at West Ham," Emerson said. "I've been made to feel very welcome by the players, the staff, and the fans. I'm excited to be part of this team and I'm looking forward to helping us achieve success."
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