The Italian connection at Chelsea is alive after their £47million acquisition of Marco Palestra, and as sit down in the bar area of his Sydney hotel, Gianfranco Zola’s name naturally crops up.Zola went from Chelsea to Cagliari once upon a time, whereas it is the opposite for Palestra. The 21-year-old spent last season on loan with Cagliari from Atalanta, was named Serie A Defender of the Year, won the Frecciarossa Speed Award, appeared for Italy’s national team, and turned down an opportunity to sign for Italian champions Inter Milan to join Chelsea.‘This connection,’ Palestra says, smiling. ‘I didn’t call him, but I know Zola played at Cagliari and at Chelsea. He’s a legend. Maybe I can do what he did at Chelsea.’You would like to become a legend, too? ‘Maybe, maybe, I hope,’ he says. ‘I know some Italian players came to Chelsea. ‘I spoke with Davide Zappacosta after I joined Chelsea. I played with him at Atalanta. He’s a top guy. I have a good relationship with Zappa. He always talked good things from Chelsea. I know a lot of Italian players played here. I want to be the next top one.’Zola, Gianluca Vialli, Roberto Di Matteo, Jorginho, Carlo Cudicini – Chelsea have had a few. While a confident boy, Palestra did begin our 30-minute conversation by apologising for his English and asking us to speak slowly, yet he only slips into Italian once. That is while trying to explain what his parents’ professions are. Office workers, he tells us in his native language. Highly-rated right-back Marco Palestra is hoping for a successful debut season at Chelsea The Blues signed Palestra for £47m from Atalanta this summer after his loan spell at Cagliari Many Italians have prospered at Stamford Bridge, from Gianfranco Zola (left) to Jorginho (right) FIVE ITALIANS WHO THRIVED AT CHELSEA GIANFRANCO ZOLA – The ultimate Italian icon who lifted multiple trophies, his magic seeing him score 80 goals as he was voted the club’s greatest ever player in a fan poll in 2003.GIANLUCA VIALLI – An idol who played and managed Chelsea, secured silverware, and handed John Terry his debut. His passing at the age of 58 in 2023 prompted an outpouring of grief.ROBERTO DI MATTEO – Di Matteo flew to Hong Kong last week to act as an ambassador on Chelsea’s tour. Played for the club, then was manager for their 2012 Champions League triumph.CARLO CUDICINI – More than 200 appearances in goal for Chelsea, and he’s still at the club now, working within their loan department after a career spent stopping strikers from scoring.JORGINHO – The Chelsea midfield metronome who won the Champions League, Europa League and more during his five years, finishing third for the Ballon d’Or in 2021. <!- – ad: https://mads.dailymail.co.uk/v8/us/sport/football/article/other/mpu_factbox.html?id=mpu_factbox_1 – ->
Returning to English, Palestra adds on his mother and father: ‘They don’t follow football too much. Now, yes, because of me, but before me, no. I played football when I was young, at school and at home. At home, I broke a lot of things, so my family was difficult when I was a little kid! But they always say to me, “If you’re happy, we’re happy”. When I was younger, it was a passion, an obsession, every day football. My grandfather played in Inter’s academy, but only him.’The mention of Inter is intriguing, because Palestra could have signed for Serie A’s title winners this summer instead. He hails from Milan, was briefly in Inter’s academy, and is an Italy international, so why choose Chelsea and the Premier League? Xabi Alonso helped him reach that decision.‘He likes me,’ Palestra tells us about the phone call he received from Alonso. ‘He likes my flexibility because I can play on the right, left, lower, higher. There were some clubs that wanted me but Chelsea, from the first moment they wanted me, I agreed, because they’re one of the biggest clubs in the world. They play in the Premier League, which is the best in the world. I’m excited.’Chelsea lost 1-0 to Juventus in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday, and face AC Milan in another tomorrow, both giving Palestra an opportunity to catch up with fellow Italians.On his national team, who missed out on making the 2026 World Cup, Palestra adds: ‘Italy is not in the best moment of its life and it’s a good thing I came to the Premier League because it’s the best in the world. I can prove myself more. We can help Italy get to the World Cup, and to win something.’Palestra can be used as a full back or a wing back on either side, making Alonso’s first summer signing a Swiss Army Knife. Chelsea captain Reece James texted him after he signed, and the 26-year-old Englishman visited their training ground the day he landed back from the World Cup.‘He wrote to me when I joined Chelsea, a beautiful message, how happy he is that I joined, and I said hi to him when he came to Cobham one day after the World Cup,’ Palestra says. ‘I know he is a good guy, a good captain, so I can’t wait to play with him. I’m very happy.’He has also found a nice Italian restaurant close to Chelsea’s training ground – Grappelli Cobham – as he continues: ‘It was one of the first questions I asked! English food is not bad, but for me, Italian food is a little bit better.’We do not blame him. Indulging in too many toad in the holes might only slow him down. His name translated from Italian to English means ‘Mark Gymnasium’ and it is rather fitting. A versatile defender, Palestra can be used as either a full back or a wing back on either side Palestra featured as Chelsea lost 1-0 to Juventus in a pre-season friendly on WednesdayAs well as being named Italy’s best defender, Palestra was Serie A’s fastest footballer last season, as he explains: ‘When I was young, like 15, I remember I was the slowest one in the team, but after maybe one or two years, I grew physically and I changed position.‘Before, I played in midfield, but I changed position to left back or at the back, and I understood that I am quick. When I was young, I’m the slowest. It’s crazy.’Is he officially the fastest at Chelsea now? ‘I don’t know, I need to race all of my team-mates! At the start of last season, I couldn’t imagine I would win Serie A Defender of the Year. It’s a big honour to be the best defender but I know it is only the start. I need to improve every day.’We have been impressed by Palestra in this pre-season, including when he performed the ‘elastico’ skill with his left foot in one friendly. Cristiano Ronaldo was his favourite footballer growing up, and we get the sense Chelsea’s fans will like this attack-minded defender.Asked if he can become the Premier League’s best defender, Palestra answers: ‘I hope! Maybe it’s difficult, but I said the same at the start of the last season. I will try to do my best.‘It’s crazy because when I was young, always my aim was to play at this level. It’s a dream. The first thing I want is to win for Chelsea, always the team. If after the season, I also win the Defender of the Year, then I am happy, but I prefer to win something for Chelsea and nothing for me.’