Emerson Palmieri has confirmed that he is "very happy" at Chelsea despite talk of a summer exit from Stamford Bridge.
Signed from Roma in January 2018, the Italian international has been in and out of the side since his move from the Giallorossi.
The 25-year-old did start the season in Frank Lampard's starting XI but he has since lost his place in the side and only played three times since the turn of the year.
Amid talk of the west London club moving for one of Ben Chilwell or Alex Telles in the summer to solve their left-back woes, the full-back, who has been linked with Juventus and Inter Milan, has opened up on his Chelsea future and a possible return to Serie A.
"I have a strong connection with Italy. I did a good job at Rome. So, when the transfer window opens in the middle of the year, these rumours always happen," he said in an interview with Globo Esporte.
"It is difficult to happen now, because I am very happy here, it is not the right time."
The Blues were back at their Cobham base last week as they step up their preparations ahead of the potential return of Premier League football.
Asked about his relationship with Lampard since he replaced Maurizio Sarri at the helm, Emerson discussed working under the club legend and how he's helped the players during the current break in play due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"During this time that we were not training, Lampard was a guy who cared a lot about us. Every week he had a meeting with the whole team, via the internet," he added.
"He is a very open guy, always asking what we want, how we are feeling, and has always been by our side.
"This makes all the difference in the team's unity.
"For being a young guy, for being an ex athlete, for knowing what it's like to be on this side, he always made us feel free to say what we wanted. And it helps a lot!
"There is no distance between coach and player, we are together in the same job, in the same team, and we always want to think the same."
