Palestra performance wins over Chelsea fans with versatility and skill | OneFootball

Italy international Marco Palestra stunned Chelsea fans in the 3-0 win over Milan, playing as a left-back, a wing-back, and seemingly everywhere else too. ‘Are we sure he’s a defender?’

The 21-year-old has for much of his career been a right-sided wing-back, coming up through the Atalanta youth academy as a midfielder where the 3-4-3 approach was paramount.

During last season’s loan at Cagliari, he played anywhere from right-back to right wing-back, to a more advanced role as part of a trident attack.

JAKARTA, INDONESIA – AUGUST 08: Chelsea FC players pose for photos prior to the pre-season friendly between Chelsea FC and AC Milan at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on August 08, 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Peksi Cahyo/Getty Images)

Today in Jakarta, Palestra was surprisingly fielded as a left-back in the starting XI of a 3-0 friendly victory over Milan, although it mutated to more of a 3-4-2-1 formation, giving the Italian freedom to attack.

Chelsea discovering Palestra talent

Marco Palestra has completed his transfer to Chelsea from Atalanta (chelseafc.com)

Palestra’s performance has lit up social media, with many pointing out his ball skills and confidence when taking opponents on are highly unusual for a defender.

That’s because the Italian isn’t really a defender at all, but an attacking winger who has no problem helping out on the defensive side of things.

“Marco Palestra loves playing the ball so much that he forgets he’s a defender,” noted one supporter.

His ‘snake bite’ bit of skill to get out of cramped spaces in the middle of the park also drew praise from the fans.

“Palestra is one of my favourite players already, I have never seen someone who makes on ball runs as much as him, he is literally a nightmare for the opposition to try and track, he is everywhere,” added another Chelsea supporter.

The plan at Inter had been to use him as the equivalent on the right to Federico Dimarco on the left, but he was convinced by Chelsea, who also offered far more both in terms of transfer fee and salary.

That is also probably where Roberto Mancini will ultimately be using him when taking over the Italy squad too.

Atalanta sold him for circa €50m plus a further €10m in various performance-related add-ons.