Credit: Imago

James Barker

Wed 29 April 2026 12:10, UK

Emerson has enjoyed an impressive debut season with Marseille, after leaving West Ham United permanently last summer.

The left-back joined West Ham back in the summer window of 2022, signing from Chelsea off the back of a good loan spell with French side Lyon in 2021-22.

He would go on to spend the next three years as a Hammer, and established himself as an important member of the squad.

An Italian international, Emerson started 77 times in the Premier League for West Ham during his time at the London Stadium, including 26 of his 31 league outings last season.

However, this season’s summer transfer window provided him and West Ham with the opportunity to move in a different direction, and that’s exactly what happened.

How has Emerson fared for Marseille this season?

Emerson wasn’t part of Graham Potter’s plans, as he navigated West Ham through his first and only summer window as Hammers boss at the start of this season.

At 31, the left-back’s best days appeared to have been behind him, and so when Marseille came calling, the Hammers were happy to send the Italian on his way.

But, since moving to the French outfit, he’s taken his performances to another level again, and has turned out to be very good and important player for them in 2025-26.

Indeed, he’s started 20 of his 25 Ligue 1 games this term, whilst providing three assists in the French top flight as well as making 34 total appearances in all competitions.

As per Sofascore, Emerson has created seven big chances in Ligue 1, has a passing accuracy of 89 per cent, plays 1.5 key passes per game and has made zero errors leading to goals.

He’s also won 56 per cent of his ground duels and the same for aerial duels, wins 1.4 tackles per game, has an expected assists number of 4.81 and averages 64.8 touches per match respectively.

Those are very impressive numbers given both his age, and the fact Marseille have endured a season in which they’ve gone backwards in Ligue 1, after finishing second last term and are now currently in sixth.

El Hadji Malick Diouf gives West Ham no Emerson worries

So, had West Ham not been able to find a successful replacement for Emerson this season, his stats in France certainly suggest they would’ve felt his absence in the team.

However, that’s not been the case for the Hammers, as in El Hadji Malick Diouf, they’ve already found their future at the left-back position.

The 21-year-old has been a revelation for the Irons after signing from Slavia Prague last summer, and will already have London Stadium chiefs sweating over whether they can keep hold of him long-term.

As per Sofascore, he’s created five big chances, has a passing accuracy of 74 per cent, averages 56 touches per game and has won 1.4 tackles per game in the Premier League this term.

He’s also made zero errors leading to goals, as well as winning 52 per cent of his total duels and recovering 3.8 balls per game respectively.

Diouf has been dynamite for West Ham, and as such, Hammers decision-makers won’t be losing any sleep on the call to let Emerson leave last summer.