Emanuel Emegha ‘devastated’ as Chelsea transfer sparks protest from angry Strasbourg fans

Strasbourg fans are furious with Emmanuel Emegha’s transfer to Chelsea (Getty)

Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenior hit out at the club’s supporters after they protested Emmanuel Emegha’s transfer to Chelsea during their Ligue 1 match on Sunday.

Chelsea confirmed the decision to sign Emegha last week but the 22-year-old will remain at Strasbourg for another season before joining Enzo Maresca’s side next year.

Emegha attracted interest from several Champions League clubs in the summer transfer window after scoring 14 goals in Ligue 1 last season.

However, Chelsea have taken advantage of their multi-club ownership with Strasbourg, who are also owned by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, in order to secure a deal for the striker.

Strasbourg’s supporters made their feelings clear about Emegha’s move to Chelsea during the 1-0 win over Le Havre on Sunday as they held up a banner which read: ‘Emegha, BlueCo pawn. After changing your shirt, give back your armband.’

Strasbourg fans held up a banner which read: ‘Emegha, BlueCo pawn. After changing your shirt, give back your armband.’

Emegha, who was named captained of the team in the summer, was not playing in the game due to injury but Rosenior hit back at criticism of the striker’s transfer.

‘What was said between me and my captain will remain private. What I will say is that he was devastated,’ Rosenior said.

‘He’s a player who arrived here more than two years ago. He’s grown, he’s given everything to this club. He was exceptional. He was one of the best players in the league last season, sprinting every game for the team, for the club. I was proud to name him captain.

‘And he’s being booed by a minority of spectators. I promised when I arrived at this club that I, my staff, the players, everyone associated with the club would make this region proud. I kept my word. I stayed true to my promises. And the players remained true to the values ​​of this region of Alsace: hard work, determination, courage. And Emmanuel Emegha embodies them.

Emmanuel Emegha will join Chelsea next summer (Getty)

‘The reason Emmanuel Emegha is joining Chelsea next season is because he’s a world-class young player who attracted maybe 10 or 15 of Europe’s biggest clubs this summer.

‘The fans who booed Emmanuel Emegha today wouldn’t even have had the chance to do so, because he could have already been at another club. He decided to spend one more year at Strasbourg, to continue with the same passion, values, and intensity as last year, and then pursue his career elsewhere. We have to respect our players.

‘I know what the consequences will be for Emmanuel Emegha. First, he will be captain until he leaves the club. Second, he will get back into shape [after injury]. He will respond appropriately and be absolutely exceptional for this team again. That’s how it will be. Those are the consequences for Emmanuel Emegha.

‘This young man is going to have an exceptional career thanks to his excellent mentality. Now, I’m sorry. One more thing and I’ll stop talking about this. We are living in a truly incredible moment, an incredible moment. I really feel like there is a group of people at the club who want to see us fail, who want to see us lose rather than win. That’s why I’m so upset, that’s why I’m so angry.

‘I’m upset, but also proud of my young team for so long. I support them and I always will. My team and I don’t worry about playing politics. I’m telling the truth. I’m proud of the work we’ve done. We will continue to fight for this jersey as long as I am here.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Comments