Marco Palestra: Chelsea midfielder recalls first football memories

Chelsea midfielder Marco Palestra has opened up about his earliest memories in football, a few days after making his full debut for the club. The Italian full-back had to wait for his first start for the Blues, coming in Saturday's 2-0 win over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, following his summer move from Atalanta.

In a quickfire interview with the club's website, Palestra recalled his first match as a spectator, Atalanta against Palermo in Bergamo. Atalanta lost 1-0, he said, and he had just joined the club at around 10 years old.

He said one of his first shirts was a Ronaldinho Brazil jersey. His first team was Assago, near his birthplace, where he played for four years.

Palestra said the coach who had the most lasting impact was Marco Fioretto, who moved him from midfield to out wide when he was about 16. "He was the first one who moved me from midfield to out wide and he maybe changed my career," Palestra said.

His closest friend from those early days is Filippo Bonvento, whom he met at Assago at around four years old. His professional debut came with Atalanta Under-23s in Serie C, the third tier, and ended in a red card. Palestra said he probably deserved it, after two yellow cards for two fouls, but he lacked experience at the time.

His first professional goal also came for the Under-23s in Serie C, against local rivals Albinoleffe. The game finished 1-1, and Palestra scored with a header.

Asked about his first emotion on signing for Chelsea, Palestra said it was simply happiness, adding that he never thought as a boy that he could play for the club. He said he now needs to improve to win with the team.