Strasbourg coach Liam Rosenia has hit fans with club captain Emmanuel Emeger who moved to next season to show off a banner criticizing him Chelsea.
Strasbourg has been owned by Chelsea’s owned group Blueco since 2023. Chelsea said last week that the 22-year-old Emega will officially take part in “in 2026,” describing it as “one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards.”
However, some Strasbourg fans have made their feelings clear about Emega’s future moves. The crowd banner during Sunday’s Ligue 1 home game against Le Havre read, “Bring your armband back after wearing your Blueco pawn, shirt.”
Rosenior said Emegha, who posted on Sunday Instagram videos It was very upset he would fly to London and sign with Chelsea and would keep him captain this season.
“Emmanuel Emega was devastated. So was me. I’m very disappointed in what I saw. It’s unacceptable to see a banner against one of the best players of last season.” Rosenia said A comment posted by the club to X said, “(my player) has a perfect mentality and is not worth this treatment.”
The 22-year-old Dutch forward was impressed last season and scored 14 league goals as the Alsace-based club came in seventh place. Strasbourg will play in the Europa Conference League after beating Danish side Bröndby in the playoffs, with Emega scoring twice in his second leg.
“We’re a pivotal season,” Rosenia said. “But the minority seems unhappy.”
Trading Player
Since arriving two years ago, some of Strasbourg’s home fans have been hostile to Blueco.
The partnership between the two clubs has been used several times this summer. Most notably, when Chelsea sold England, they returned Benchilwell to Strasbourg on a two-year contract at the end of the transfer period.
Early in the summer, two Chelsea youngsters, Iche Samuels Smith and Mattis Amoogo – joined Strasbourg on a private deal, including Mike Pender, Kendry Paes and Teenage defender Mamadou Sarr I moved there on seasonal loan. ___
AP sports writer Steve Douglas contributed.
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