CHELSEA'S announcement of Emanuel Emegha from Strasbourg has put the French club on the brink of a civil war.
Dutchman Emegha, 22, posed with a Chelsea shirt at the club's Cobham training ground on Saturday, as the Blues agreed a deal to sign the striker from their BlueCo sister club in 2026.
While Chelsea will add another striker to their ranks, already including Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, Strasbourg will lose their top goalscorer, captain and one of their most promising players.
Strasbourg made it three wins from four in Ligue 1 on Sunday with a 1-0 win over Le Havre.
But the headlines were made off the pitch by multiple banners in the stands, and a public stand-off between the team's ultras and English coach Liam Rosenior.
Banners took aim at Emegha himself, demanding he resign as club captain, as well as Mark Keller, the club's president, and BlueCo.
One read: "Emegha, BlueCo's pawn, after switching jerseys, give back your armband."
Emegha didn't play in the match against Le Havre, but was presented as the club's August Player of the Month before the game, only to be booed throughout the presentation.
After the match, Rosenior took his players to the newly-built south stand, rather than the usual west stand where the ultras sit, and slammed the behaviour of those fans in his post-match press conference.
He said: "Emanuel Emegha was devastated, and so was I. I am very disappointed with what I saw.
"Seeing banners against one of the best players last season is unacceptable.
"My players deserve much more. They have an impeccable mindset and do not deserve this treatment.
"We are in a pivotal season in which we will play in Europe in the Conference League, but it seems that a minority is not happy with these performances.
"It won't change anything at all because I remain very proud of my players, and Emanuel Emegha will remain captain as long as he is here.
"Last year, this team gave everything for the fans. I am disappointed with the reaction of the supporters: that small portion of supporters who do not give my players the respect they deserve.
"We give everything for the jersey. I didn’t come from England to not give my life for this club. I can understand the various issues regarding ownership.
"Now is not the time for these disputes; we all need to be united. If we’re not good enough, I accept the criticism, but questioning our commitment is a problem."
Emegha also hit back at the fans who booed him on social media, posting an Instagram story.
The picture showed him smiling, holding up a Strasbourg shirt with 'Emegoat' on the back, accompanied by the caption: "Whether you want it or not."
While some are filled with rage, other sections of the fanbase have come out in support of BlueCo and their club on social media, going as far as telling the team's ultras that they should be ashamed of themselves.
One wrote: "Eight years that I've been coming, this year I've decided to no longer sit in the West Stand. Ultras, how do we explain your behaviour?
"Banners, fights in the stands, tension, chants, whistles, and insults, to our future children?
"I'm ashamed that you're part of my club. All my support to our captain and our president."
Tensions were already running high between Strasbourg fans and their BlueCo owners who also run Chelsea.
The Ishe Samuels-Smith deal between the Ligue 1 side and Chelsea this summer angered many fans in France.
Having signed the promising full-back from Chelsea for £6.5million, he moved back to the Blues just 33 days later, having not played a game, and was then loaned to Swansea City on deadline day.
Chelsea paid £4m for Samuels-Smith from Everton in 2023.
The French club ended up signing another unwanted Chelsea left-back, Ben Chilwell, before the window closed.
The furious banners added: "Samuels-Smith bought for 10 times his value, left 34 days later for an undisclosed amount.
"They really take us for fools."
"Mark Keller, thank you for this golden decade. It's time to GO AWAY!"
wipnpstuy
2
those fans are pathetic. if not because of Blueco they won't be witnessing the change they are seeing in the club. the club is playing European football for the first time thanks to Blueco.
fupceiluyz
3
To all fans of my most famous mighty Chelsea, the reigning club world cup champions, wherever you are: spare a moment and pray for Arjen Robben,our LEGEND.🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Nanayawbernard
2
I feel the pains of the supporters. They now feel like they can compete so why then should they sell their best players. Remember football fans always want to see trophies 🏆
jehbdintyz
2
lets understand the difference between fans and hooligans
Aseeco
0
Some players just don’t know what they’re doing or don’t have good advisors because why would you hold a jersey of another club while you still play for your current club regardless of they’ve bought you or not wait till the end of the season and do whatever you want
Can you read very before you comment Bastard Idiot..Or I guess you don't see well so, next time use your glasses. (The picture showed him smiling, holding up a Strasbourg shirt with 'Emegoat' on the ) 👎👎👎🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👎👎👎🤣🤣🤣
KehindeSeun
0
I pray Emegha gets playing time when he comes
Delap need to seat tight too if he doesn't want to be bench next season.
Jumachelsea
1
ungrateful sons and daughters of a b******instead of sticking to your team and supporting your team you are there criticising if it wasn't for blueco supposed to be fighting for relegation shut up and enjoy football
Coyblopt
0
No bro as of now Chelsea need two striker you know why maresca said in his press conference that he did not see pedro as number 9 but he can play there which means Delap is the only striker we have and we are going to need another striker to give him competition
I pray Emegha gets playing time when he comes
KehindeSeun
0
Some players just don’t know what they’re doing or don’t have good advisors because why would you hold a jersey of another club while you still play for your current club regardless of they’ve bought you or not wait till the end of the season and do whatever you want
don't put mouth on waiting no concern you. Chelsea and strabourg are run by the same owner which means this guy is still at home. and that is why he can do what he did because they are both control with the same owner.
KehindeSeun
0
I see no reason Chelsea will be bringing this guy to Stamford Bridge next season. He will only be kept on the bench and just be wasting there. If he comes,they will need to loan him to an EPL or championship club to gain more experience. That's their plan. Then after next season,they either sell Delap or Guiu so he(Emegha) becomes the back striker then later sell him for huge amount. From concerned Chelsea fan
No bro as of now Chelsea need two striker you know why maresca said in his press conference that he did not see pedro as number 9 but he can play there which means Delap is the only striker we have and we are going to need another striker to give him competition
fupceiluyz
4
These fans are the biggest fools in the world! Beggars are not choosers and he who pays the piper calls the tune.What is Strasbourg without Blue-co sponsorship?Where were they before we paid dowry for them? They should stop looking at the gift horse in the mouth! They ought to remember that we forced their coach to loose his last two matches last season because had they won both,my most famous mighty Chelsea, the reigning club world cup champions would have been forced to play in the Europa league.😡🤮😡🤮😡🤮
ChiemezieJudah
2
Chelsea is trying to build their financial goals by increasing their profits but fans are never ready to hear the details before reacting but some one like me Business guy already understand
Coyblopt
0
I see no reason Chelsea will be bringing this guy to Stamford Bridge next season. He will only be kept on the bench and just be wasting there. If he comes,they will need to loan him to an EPL or championship club to gain more experience. That's their plan. Then after next season,they either sell Delap or Guiu so he(Emegha) becomes the back striker then later sell him for huge amount. From concerned Chelsea fan
Joshwill1123
4
Some players just don’t know what they’re doing or don’t have good advisors because why would you hold a jersey of another club while you still play for your current club regardless of they’ve bought you or not wait till the end of the season and do whatever you want
Mitchello2
0
I really don't get what those guys are complaining about. Thanks to blueco partnership they are able to acquire great talent not to mention their upwards trajectory in recent seasons so what are they angry for because an unknown player was called back? Big deal