UEFA club and international competitions? Emerson Palmieri has completed them.
In playing his role in West Ham United’s sensational success against ACF Fiorentina on Wednesday, the flying full-back has become the first player to collect winner’s medals from all five of UEFA’s available tournaments.
Emerson had already written himself into the history books thanks to his trio of European accolades with Chelsea – the Europa League in 2019 and the 2021 Champions League and Super Cup – and his part in Italy’s UEFA Euro 2020 final success against England.
Now the 28-year-old has another illustrious piece of silverware for his own, personal trophy cabinet. His performance in the 2-1 win at the Eden Arena was stand-out; a championship-winning effort.
“I think it’s all sorted for me!” Emerson told whufc.com. “Next season we have Europa League and I’m so happy now.
“We did this together and now I have this personal record. We now get to enjoy the holidays and I hope the fans also enjoy this a lot. The last trophy was a long time ago so I’m very happy, and now is the time to enjoy it.”
While the Irons endured inconsistent form in the Premier League, Emerson and his teammates found their brilliant best in Europe. Out of 15 games played in the UEFA Europa Conference League, David Moyes’ men won 14 of them.
With Saïd Benrahma’s penalty and Jarrocd Bowen’s late, great finish not only claiming the trophy but also European football for a third consecutive season for West Ham United, Emerson is eager for the side to take their immense Conference League form into all competitions next season.
“It was a tough season for us in the Premier League. We dropped a lot of points, but in the Europa Conference League we always played well and we weren’t defeated on our way to winning the trophy.
“We need to take this moment and the confidence from it into the next season, into the Premier League, and try to do it in the league and also the Europa League too. It’s a good competition and it’s always good to play European competitions. I’m looking forward to it.”
