Fellow BlueCo club, Strasbourg, lost more ground in Ligue 1 with a defeat this weekend against Toulouse, and there were more injury woes for future Chelsea striker Emanuel Emegha.
It has been a nightmare final season for the Strasbourg captain. Emegha has only been fit enough to make four starts in the league due to a multitude of injury problems.
Knowledge of his pending move to Chelsea has not gone down well with fans of the Ligue 1 side, who were already frustrated with BlueCo’s influence over the club.
Chelsea fans don’t want to see Alejandro Garnacho start against Nottingham Forest, but who can replace him?
Jamie Gittens and Estevao are both still out injured ❌
Emanuel Emegha ‘visibly shaken’ after another injury problem
Emegha was slated by French media after his poor performance in the Conference League against Rayo Vallecano, and this saw him drop back to the bench for the league fixture against Toulouse.
Despite only featuring for eight minutes, it looks as if the Netherlands international has suffered another injury problem in the 2-1 defeat.
L’Equipe stated that the striker was ‘visibly shaken’ at full-time, with his chances of featuring in the final stages of the Conference League now in serious doubt.
Turning around a 1-0 deficit to Vallecano in the semi-final would likely set up a final with Crystal Palace, a side Strasbourg beat in the group stages of the competition when Liam Rosenior was still in charge.
Following the ACL injury suffered by Joaquin Panichelli, there is a reliance on Emegha for his goals in their quest for European glory.
What will Xabi Alonso go with if he gets the Chelsea job, a back three or back four? 🧐
Chelsea already undecided over Emegha’s future
Despite not yet even playing a game for Chelsea, there is no guarantee the Dutchman is set for a prolonged future at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are looking to part ways with three strikers this summer, including Nicolas Jackson when he returns from his loan move at Bayern Munich.
Chelsea are still monitoring options in the striker position, and will likely be open to suitors for Liam Delap after his poor first season in West London.
There was a heated race to sign him last summer, and a number of those clubs are reportedly still keen on the Englishman.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
