The Italian joined Lyon on loan last summer, with both Ben Chilwell and Marcos Alonso seen as sufficient cover in the left wing-back slot.

Emerson played four minutes in our Premier League opener against Crystal Palace this season before heading to the Ligue 1 club for the rest of the season five days later, and after that spell finished recently, the Chelsea player has spoken of what the future holds for him.

‘I didn’t speak with him Thomas Tuchel just yet,’ Emerson admitted, speaking after Italy’s 3-0 defeat to Argentina at Wembley last Wednesday.

‘I have a contract with Chelsea. I played there for three seasons and I have a lot of friends there and if I come back, I'll be happy. It's a good place and club for me. I don’t know [whether I will return], let’s see what can happen,’ Emerson said.

The Sao Paulo-born defender featured 36 times for the French side, netting once, and he has since reflected on what he believes was a successful loan.

‘For me, it was a good season because I played a lot of games,’ Emerson added.

‘Of course [it felt good that Chelsea wanted him back in January]. Lyon said no, so I didn’t come back. It didn’t depend on me and those conversations were between the clubs.

‘Lyon said no and I respected that because when I signed there I signed for one year, not six months. But now I will go back to Chelsea for the pre-season and let’s see what happens in the next month.’