Roma defender eligible to represent Italy

 

Brazilian defender Emerson is now eligible to represent Italy after FIFA made a decision in regard to the Roma player’s ancestry, claims Gazzetta dello Sport, via Football Italia.

 

Emerson, 23, has not been capped international higher than Brazil’s Under-17s and faces a tall order of forcing his way into contention under Tite with the likes of Marcelo and Filipe Luis ahead of him in the pecking order.

 

Roma defender eligible to represent Italy

 

However, Brazil could now run the risk of losing Emerson to Gian Piero Ventura’s side due to an ancestor on his mother’s side. The versatile Roma left back is highly rated and has even been linked with a move to Manchester City this season after establishing himself as a regular under Luciano Spalletti.

 

In fact, only Edin Dzeko (7.72) and Federico Fazio (7.58) have secured higher WhoScored ratings for Roma in Serie A this season than Emerson (7.47).

 

For more stats on Emerson, click here to visit his WhoScored player page