Before Marco Palestra even takes his seat, he extends a handshake and offers a caveat. "I do speak English, I can answer in English, but if you want the best answer, I need to speak in Italian."
The 21-year-old undertook a significant lifestyle shift - departing Italy, his homeland, leaving behind his family for an intimidating new nation. You can certainly give him grace. Despite this, his English was impressive. He reverted to his native language just once during the conversation, as per football.london.
We're informed Palestra was particularly eager to address the English press for the first time since his Chelsea arrival. Six reporters gathered around a table, posing questions to the Italian, who transferred to Stamford Bridge for £47 million ($62 million) earlier in the summer, during a 20-minute session conducted in a second language.
When relocating from home, particularly to unfamiliar territory, among the initial priorities is seeking familiar comforts. Anything that provides that reassuring sense of home.
Unsurprisingly, Palestra's first mission was locating an Italian eatery. "Yeah, yeah, it was one of the first questions I asked," a laughing Palestra said. "English food is not bad, but for me, Italian food is a little bit better.
"I don't know [what it's called]. There's one in Cobham, Grappelli. I also ate at two Italian restaurants in London, I don't remember their names."
Palestra has dined at three Italian establishments since arriving in England - one, as he mentioned in Cobham, close to Chelsea's training facility; the remaining two in London. The defender brought his family, who will stay in Italy as he begins this new phase of his career, to the first dinner before treating his friends on the subsequent occasions. Naturally, Palestra picked up the tab.
The former Atalanta defender made an excellent impression as a person during our short conversation and has demonstrated promising soccer credentials at Chelsea throughout the club's preseason tour.
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Xabi Alonso is believed to hold Palestra's versatility across multiple defensive positions in high regard. Palestra operates at right-back, left-back, and can also feature in a more attacking wing-back capacity.
During the opening stages of the summer transfer window, Chelsea were discreetly evaluating their approach to the Palestra situation. His departure from Atalanta seemed inevitable after an impressive loan spell at Cagliari last season, and Inter Milan, where he spent time in their youth system, had laid substantial groundwork.
The Milan-born and raised Palestra looked destined for the San Siro, but Chelsea intervened. As the West London club has frequently done under BlueCo ownership, they made a late move and secured the advantage.
Alonso has proven to be Chelsea's trump card in transfer negotiations this summer — as evidenced by Morgan Rogers agreeing to his record-breaking move to Stamford Bridge — and the same held true in securing Palestra.
"He told me what he wanted from me, his ideas, and other things," said the Italian, reflecting on his conversation with his new head coach. "Not only football. Yes, football, for sure, but not only. It was a good conversation about everything, so I was very happy with it.
"He likes me because he sees a lot of games from me. He likes my flexibility and because I can play on the right, the left, lower, high.
"There were some clubs that wanted me but Chelsea, the first moment they wanted me, I agree because they're one of the biggest clubs in the world. They play in the Premier League which is the best league in the world. I'm excited to come to Chelsea and start here, and play with the teammates, Xabi and all that sort of stuff."
Among the many attributes Palestra brings to Chelsea is blistering pace — and in abundance. The youngster wrapped up last season posting an average speed of 27.96km/h (17.37mph), with the former Cagliari loanee finishing the 2025/26 campaign as the fastest player in Serie A.
Remarkably, however, raw speed wasn't always a natural gift for Palestra — quite the contrary, in fact. Palestra contemplated responding in Italian but remained with English: "I try to speak in English but this is a difficult one. When I was young, like 15, I remember I was the slowest one in the team but after maybe one or two years, I grow physically and I change position.
"Before I play in midfield, but I changed position to left-back or at the back, so I understand that I am quick. When I was young, I'm the slowest. It's crazy, crazy things."
Beyond being the fastest player in Italian soccer, he also secured the Serie A Defender of the Year award. In a division renowned for its rugged defensive talent, it represented a significant achievement for Palestra, who aspires to duplicate that success in the Premier League.
"It was a good thing because at the start of the season, I can't imagine that I win Serie A Defender of the Year," said the Chelsea full-back. "It's a big honour to be the best defender but I know that it is only the start. I need to improve myself everyday but it's a good start.
"I hope [to become Premier League's best defender]. Maybe it's difficult but I said the same at the start of the last season. I try to do my best.
"The first thing I want is to win for Chelsea. It's always the team. If after the season, I win also the defender of the year, I am happy but I prefer to win something for Chelsea and nothing me."
Palestra hasn't yet crossed paths with several of his Chelsea colleagues. Those fortunate enough to advance deep into the FIFA World Cup are still on an extended vacation. Reece James falls into that category, having guided England to a third-place finish - though the Chelsea captain has already connected with Palestra.
Speaking with admiration about his new captain, Palestra remembered: "He wrote to me when I joined Chelsea. [It was a] beautiful message and I said hi to him when he came to Cobham one day after the World Cup. I know he is a good guy, a good captain, so I can't wait to play with him also. I'm very happy - I know that he is a good guy."
When asked about the message's contents, the Italian defender responded: "He said to me that he is happy I joined Chelsea and to write to him for advice, to know London and Cobham."
Palestra is integrating smoothly with the Chelsea roster and frequently hangs out with players like Aaron Anselmino, Estevao Willian, Joao Pedro and Dario Essugo. The defender has already made a significant impact on much of the Chelsea supporter base despite not yet featuring in an official fixture for his new club.
Though remaining grounded, Palestra acknowledges the Italian heritage at Stamford Bridge throughout the years. Gianfranco Zola, Roberto Di Matteo, Gianluca Vialli - among numerous others. Palestra aspires to become the next Italian to etch his name into Chelsea legend.
Source: Alloutsoccer.com
