Strasbourg president admits ‘major issue’ in Emanuel Emegha’s Chelsea move | OneFootball

Emanuel Emegha’s (22) move from RC Strasbourg to Chelsea has caused something of a stir in Alsace. The Dutchman, who this season is captaining Strasbourg, will join fellow BlueCo-owned Chelsea at the end of the season, with the upcoming deal announced at the start of September, just after the closure of the transfer window.

Whilst Emegha sought to allay fan concerns in the wake of the move, insisting his continued commitment to Le Racing, those words of reassurance fell on deaf ears. “Emegha, pawn of BlueCo. After changing shirt, give back your captain’s armband,” read a banner deployed after the announcement of the striker’s departure.

The move has opened up old wounds, which go back to BlueCo’s takeover at Chelsea and the fans’ opposition to multi-club ownership.

However, speaking to The Telegraph, Strasbourg president Marc Keller has defended the former Sturm Graz’s move to Stamford Bridge. “It was a major issue,” admitted Keller.

The club president added, “The only way to keep him was to say: ‘You will go in one year’. He was ready to do that, and to be captain and a big leader for us in Europe”. Emegha will therefore compete for Le Racing, who are in contention to qualify for UEFA Champions League football next season and are also playing in this season’s Europa Conference League. However, the management of his situation remains a very contentious issue at the Meinau.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle