New Chelsea signing Emanuel Emegha was named Strasbourg captain during the summer.
Emegha, who is set to join Chelsea in 2026, recently replaced Habib Diarra as Strasbourg skipper following the midfielder’s move to Sunderland.
The Chelsea Chronicle understands that Chelsea considered bringing in Emegha in the last transfer window after Liam Delap’s injury.
However, BlueCo decided that it would be better for the Dutchman to continue his development in France and chose to recall Marc Guiu instead.
- READ MORE: What Enzo Maresca specifically likes about Chelsea striker Marc Guiu as huge incentive emerges
Strasbourg dressing room respects Emanuel Emegha
Emegha is only 22 years of age, but he is still respected by the Strasbourg dressing room and impacts his teammates in a positive way, according to his manager Liam Rosenior.
As a result, Rosenior decided to name him Strasbourg captain, though it is not a role he will have for too long following Chelsea’s agreement to sign him.
Speaking during a press conference in the summer, which was relayed by Alsa’Sports, the Strasbourg boss said: “Appointing Emegha as captain was not easy because there were young leaders who could have claimed it.
“He pulls others up and has the confidence of the group. I just ask him to be himself, with his character and his personality. The armband must not change the player. He is a leader in his way of playing.”
Following Delap’s hamstring injury, Enzo Maresca really could do with Emegha right now. On Friday, Maresca confirmed that Delap could be out for 12 weeks.
Once he returns, though, the Englishman, Joao Pedro and Guiu will be more than enough for the Chelsea head coach.
It is something that the club would have taken into consideration when they looked at signing Emegha in the summer transfer window.
Having to compete against Delap and Pedro could have really hurt his progress.
Details of Emanuel Emegha’s transfer to Chelsea
Chelsea have a pre-agreement with their sister club Strasbourg to sign Emegha in 2026.
The striker has reportedly signed for the Club World Cup winners on a seven-year contract. The exact amount of money Chelsea have paid for Emegha’s signature is not yet known.
Emegha scored 14 goals in 27 Ligue 1 appearances last season, so the potential is there. You just have to wonder if he will actually get opportunities under Maresca, especially during his first campaign as a Chelsea player.
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