Liam Rosenior makes decision on future Chelsea star Emanuel Emegha after Strasbourg fans turn on striker
Strasbourg supporters are absolutely furious with Emanuel Emegha, who is set to join Chelsea next summer.
Last week, Chelsea announced that they had reached a pre-agreement with their sister club to sign Emegha in 2026.
That has not gone down well among Strasbourg supporters, who displayed banners targeting their star forward over the weekend.
Emegha announced his upcoming transfer to Chelsea in order to end speculation and free Strasbourg from distractions, but his decision to do so has backfired.
Liam Rosenior will not strip new Chelsea signing Emanuel Emegha of captaincy
Emegha is not the most popular figure at Strasbourg right now and will not be at the club in the future. Even so, his manager Liam Rosenior has no plans to strip him of the captaincy.
Speaking about Emegha after Strasbourg’s 1-0 win against Le Havre on Sunday, Rosenior said: “Emanuel Emegha was devastated and so was I. I am very disappointed with what I saw. Seeing banners against one of the team’s 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 a European competition, 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 Ema will remain captain as long as he is here. It is still necessary to emphasise that this does not concern everyone, but a minority.”
The 22-year-old could have moved to Stamford Bridge at the end of the last transfer window.
The Chelsea Chronicle understands that Chelsea had a conversation about signing Emegha following Liam Delap’s hamstring injury.
However, it was decided that the Dutchman’s development this season was best served at Strasbourg.
Instead of signing Emegha, Chelsea recalled Marc Guiu from his loan at Sunderland. Yet the Spaniard did not make the Blues’ matchday squad for the 2-2 draw with Brentford on Saturday, with Enzo Maresca preferring Tyrique George.
Why Liam Rosenior made Emanuel Emegha Strasbourg captain after Habib Diarra exit
Emegha only became Strasbourg captain in the summer following Habib Diarra’s move to Chelsea’s Premier League rivals Sunderland.
Rosenior had other choices, but the respect that Emegha commands in the Strasbourg dressing room made him the outstanding candidate for the armband.
When Rosenior spoke about Emegha being named captain, he 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.”
Strasbourg fans will now want to see the former Hull City manager reverse his decision. However, it does not look like that is going to happen, with Rosenior backing his player despite what supporters will deem as a lack of commitment.
from Chelsea FC Latest News & Club Updates | The Chelsea Chronicle https://ift.tt/abs4KXi
Post a Comment