Chelsea to take new striker Emegha in JAN after the star signs pre-contract

CHELSEA are reportedly considering taking new striker Emanuel Emegha in January after the Strasbourg star signed a pre-contract agreement with the Blues.

Emegha, 22, has penned a deal to join Chelsea in 2026, with an official announcement made last week.

The Dutch forward is seen as one of Ligue 1’s brightest young talents.

And it’s claimed he could now link up with Enzo Maresca in January instead of next summer following the Blues’ recent striker crisis.

Liam Delap is potentially out until Christmas with a hamstring injury, leaving Chelsea without a senior No9.

Versatile Joao Pedro, who prefers a deeper role, is now bearing the weight of responsibility in attack.

Youngster Marc Guiu was recalled from his Sunderland loan but didn’t even make the bench in the 2-2 draw against Brentford.

While winger Tyrique George had an unproductive run-out in the position on Saturday.

Now, Fabrizio Romano reckons Chelsea could look to speed up Emegha’s arrival by bringing him to London in January.

Romano said: “Chelsea will decide very soon whether to bring him in, in either January or the summer.

“They’re very happy with the player and his development, and feel he can be a very important part of the project.”

Despite his tender age, Emegha is already captaining Chelsea’s sister club in France.

The ace has penned a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge but opted against moving this summer in order to lead Strasbourg into their first-ever European campaign.

However, Emegha’s deal has been met with anger by fans of the BlueCo-owned side.

They booed the forward and targeted him with a hostile banner during Sunday’s 1-0 win over Le Havre, even though he didn’t play.

Liam Rosenior’s side have won three of their four games so far this term and are hoping to improve on last year’s seventh-place finish which secured Europa League football for the first-ever time.