Emegha ‘devastated’ after backlash from Strasbourg fans following Chelsea transfer | OneFootball

Chelsea signed Emanuel Emegha from Strasbourg last week, but what should have been a positive step for both the player and the Blues has quickly turned sour.

The 22-year-old striker will join Chelsea on July 1, but has been subjected to a furious backlash from Strasbourg’s supporters even before the Stamford Bridge move.

Emegha was one of Strasbourg’s standout performers last season and was unveiled as a Chelsea player on Friday, but the announcement has sparked outrage in Alsace.

At Strasbourg’s 1-0 win over Le Havre on Sunday, the Ultra Boys supporters group displayed a telling banner.

It read, “Emegha, pawn of BlueCo. After changing shirt, give back your captain’s armband.”

The Dutchman was not involved in the match but received boos during the presentation of his Ligue 1 Player of the Month award for August.

There were other banners criticising the botched Ishe Samuels-Smith transfer from Chelsea to Strasbourg.

Chelsea fans may view Emegha’s arrival as another top signing, but in France, the reaction has been furious.

The treatment of his captain, who had promised to give 100% for Strasbourg, visibly shook coach Liam Rosenior.

“Emmanuel Emegha was devastated, and I was too. I am very disappointed by what I saw.

“Seeing banners against one of last season’s best players is unacceptable,” he said (via Strasbourg’s Twitter).

There has been growing unease surrounding BlueCo’s multi-club model, and this is understandable. No fan wants to see their team used as a pawn.

Emegha has begun the season in flying form, scoring three goals in four matches, following a Ligue 1 campaign in which he netted 14 times.

Chelsea will be hoping he can carry that momentum into the Premier League once he makes the switch.

But for Strasbourg, the resentment runs deeper than one transfer.

Many of their supporters believe that Chelsea are taking their best talents (Emegha and Mamdou Sarr), reducing the French side to a feeder club under BlueCo.