Incoming Chelsea signing Emmanuel Emegha has been suspended by his current club Strasbourg, for failing to respect the ‘values, expectations and rules’ of the Ligue 1 outfit.
The 22-year-old is already quite well-travelled in his young career, playing for Sparta Rotterdam, Antwerp, Sturm Graz and now Strasbourg since 2023.
After scoring 14 goals for the French side last season, it was confirmed that he would move to Chelsea in 2026.
In September, a brief statement from the Premier League giants read: ‘Chelsea Football Club has agreed a deal to sign striker Emmanuel Emegha from Ligue 1 side RC Strasbourg, with the Dutchman officially joining in 2026.
‘Emegha, 22, scored 14 goals and provided three assists in 27 appearances in Ligue 1 last season, earning him recognition as one of the most exciting young forwards in Europe.’
Get personalised updates on Chelsea every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
The Netherlands international has got himself in trouble at Strasbourg before he leaves, though, picking up a one-match ban given to him by his own club.
A club statement read: ‘This decision was made following the player’s recent non-respect (breach) of the club’s values, expectations, and rules.
‘Emmanuel remains an important member of our team, who has always given his all for the club on the pitch. He will be reinstated to the squad after this match.’
AP report that the issue is comments the forward made to the media, including claiming that he thought Strasbourg was in Germany ahead of joining the club and suggesting the team lost games to Monaco and PSG because he wasn’t playing.
Strasbourg is part of the multi-club operation run by Chelsea owners BlueCo, with Kendry Paez, Mamadou Sarr and Mike Penders currently on loan at the French club from the Blues.
Emegha is captain of Strasbourg and his upcoming move to Chelsea has angered a section of the fans at Stade de la Meinau.
A banner unfurled at a home game against Le Havre in September read: ‘Emegha, pawn of BlueCo. After changing shirts, give your armband back.’
Strasbourg’s English manager, Liam Rosenior, said of the situation: ‘Emanuel Emegha was devastated, and so was I. I’m very disappointed by what I saw.
‘Seeing banners against one of the best players last season is unacceptable. (My players) have an impeccable mentality and don’t deserve this treatment.’
Emegha posted multiple times about signing for Chelsea in September, which did not sit well with some of the Strasbourg fans.
One video of him travelling to London was captioned: ‘I prayed for moments like this THANK YOU JESUS!!!’
Another read: ‘Proud and grateful to sign with Chelsea FC. I’ll be joining the club in 2026 and can’t wait for this next step in my career. The journey continues 💙.’
The two-cap Netherlands international has continued his good form this season, scoring seven goals in 11 games across all competitions.