Sky: Palestra can improve chelsea's durability and crossing quality

Italian international Palestra is set to transfer from Atalanta to Chelsea after a successful loan spell at Cagliari. Sky Sports discusses the value this player can bring to the Premier League and Chelsea, considering aspects like dribbling and multi-positional adaptability.

"He's like a player created in a video game," Cagliari coach Fabio Pisacane recently said in an interview with Sky Sport Italia. "His explosive power is maxed out, and his running style is aesthetically pleasing, as agile as a panther or cheetah when he runs." This player is Palestra.

Cesc Fabregas greatly admires him, and renowned coach Sacchi once strongly recommended his inclusion in the Italian national team, a suggestion that Gattuso eventually adopted. Although Spalletti once misremembered his name, he had already heard of this talented young player emerging from Atalanta. The surname Palestra means "gym" in Italian, so it's not surprising that this 21-year-old winger was scouted by Chelsea to provide the physical attributes needed on the flanks under Xavi Alonso. However, the value of this transfer goes far beyond just physical talent.

Palestra is highly versatile, capable of playing on both the left and right flanks, as both a full-back and a wing-back. He has balanced crossing ability with both feet and can beat opponents one-on-one. Last season in Serie A, only Juventus star Yıldız had more successful dribbles than this young Italian international.

He previously gained Champions League experience at Atalanta under Gian Piero Gasperini, then went on loan to Cagliari, an experience crucial for his development. It is difficult for young players in the Italian league to consistently get playing time, but Palestra almost consistently featured throughout.

"For the past seven or eight months, he has consistently carried the team forward, also managing national team duties," Pisacane explained. "He started the season opener, playing in front of 70,000 Napoli home fans, and showcased his abilities in the second round against Parma."

"In that match, he completed a signature long-distance dribble, carrying the ball from his own half and eventually assisting the team's second goal. Later, in the match against Lecce, he assisted Belotti, and since then, Palestra has firmly held a starting position."

When he made that assist against Lecce, he was even the last man in defense pushing forward. At Cagliari, he occasionally even joined the front three. However, his most common position was as the right wing-back in Pisacane's 3-5-2 formation, a tactical system also used by Alonso during his time coaching Leverkusen.

However, Palestra is still young and highly adaptable tactically, capable of fitting into various formations. Francesco Modesto, his coach at Atalanta's youth team in Serie C, stated that his core advantage over other players is his ability to dribble with both feet.

"His dribbling talent is rarely matched. As a right-footed player, he can fluidly carry the ball with his left foot, making his changes of direction completely unpredictable for opponents. His crossing technique with both feet is equally skilled." Last season, he ranked ninth in Serie A for successful open-play crosses.

He also ranked third in the league with 3 successful corners created, proving his ability to burst into the box. This quality will be crucial whether Chelsea uses a back four or a back five system. Cagliari finished in the lower half of the league in both points and possession last season, so he will need to adapt to a new game rhythm after moving to Chelsea.

However, everyone who has coached him believes he is fully capable of making this transition. Modesto previously stated that the Premier League is very suitable for this player, precisely because of his strong physical combativeness.

Physical prowess was not an inherent advantage for him; Palestra himself admitted that he wasn't particularly fast when he was young, and a sudden growth spurt in his teens completely changed his physical condition. Last summer, Bournemouth was interested in signing him, as the team believed he could adapt to their high-tempo playing style.

For the past year, scouts from major European clubs have frequently traveled to Sardinia to observe him, and everyone has noticed that he often performs outstandingly against strong teams. During his time at Atalanta, he came on as a substitute against Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup and also had a starting opportunity in the Champions League.

In March this year, Italy's overall performance was poor in the World Cup play-off defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, but he was one of the few standout players. He is now considered a future core player for the Italian national team. His unique dribbling ability alone can fill a long-standing stylistic void in Italian football.

He is also praised for his mature mindset, with strong family support behind him. "He's not just technically and tactically proficient; his mental maturity is also remarkable, and his family provides him with full support, surrounded by reliable people." Everyone believes he has immense room for growth.

"In my opinion, Palestra has not yet unleashed his full potential," Pisacane said in an interview with Sky Sports. "It's no exaggeration to say that he is currently only showing 60% to 70% of his abilities." If Alonso and Chelsea can unlock his remaining potential, this winger, who seems to have walked out of a video game, will absolutely become a true top-tier star.

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