{"id":2971,"date":"2026-05-01T21:41:42","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T21:41:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=2971"},"modified":"2026-05-01T21:41:42","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T21:41:42","slug":"french-media-give-up-on-chelsea-bound-emanuel-emegha-after-betrayal-to-strasbourg-let-him-go","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=2971","title":{"rendered":"French media give up on Chelsea-bound Emanuel Emegha after &#8216;betrayal&#8217; to Strasbourg, &#8216;let him go&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"post-366029\">\n<div class=\"article-follow\">\n<div class=\"article-sharing google-follow\">  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grv-media\/img\/google-discover.svg\" alt=\"\"\/> <span>Add as preferred source on Google<\/span>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Strasbourg striker Emanuel Emegha is set to join Chelsea at the end of the season, although French media are actually wishing he could leave earlier after watching him feature in the Conference League.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Emegha\u2019s goal in the quarter-final helped the Ligue 1 side into a semi-final tie with Rayo Vallecano, as they look to follow in Chelsea\u2019s footsteps of winning the competition last season.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-grvmedia-grv-video GRVMultiVideo\"\/>\n<p>However, the fellow BlueCo club are up against it after a 1-0 defeat where they were dominated and didn\u2019t even register a shot on target.<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"72ce44da-498e-4181-92cd-b035246aa62a\" data-story-name=\"Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest\" data-comment-id=\"464809bc-add0-435b-9f0e-aea862c1dc77\" data-story-slug=\"chelsea-vs-nottingham-forest\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<p><h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">Would you make any changes to our XI to face Forest?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/Predicted-XI-1-819x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-366014\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/Predicted-XI-1-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/Predicted-XI-1-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/Predicted-XI-1-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/Predicted-XI-1-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/Predicted-XI-1-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/Predicted-XI-1.png 1080w\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Tosin deserves another chance after the FA Cup\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Emegha had just 21 touches of the ball in his 83 minutes on the pitch, and picked up a yellow card as he made little impact on proceedings.<\/p>\n<p>French media were not happy with what they had seen, with journalist Gilbert Brisbois telling After Foot RMC that he was ready for the Netherlands international to make his move to Stamford Bridge already.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-getty-images-media\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2273344647-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Rayo Vallecano v RC Strasbourg Alsace - UEFA Europa Conference League 2025\/2026 - Semi-Final - First Leg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2273344647-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2273344647-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2273344647-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2273344647-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2273344647-1-1140x760.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2273344647-1-750x500.jpg 750w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"Emmanuel Emegha of Strasbourg greets fans during the semifinal Conference League 2025\/26 match between Rayo Vallecano and Strasbourg at Vallecas Stadium in Madrid, Spain, on April 30. (Photo by Guillermo Martinez\/NurPhoto via Getty Images)\">Photo by Guillermo Martinez\/NurPhoto via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>He said: \u201cEmegha, let him go, let him go to Chelsea. We\u2019re fed up. I wanted to see Nanasi tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Fellow journalist Walid Acherchour believed that his performance was actually a betrayal to his current club.<\/p>\n<p>He said: \u201cHe\u2019s explaining to you that Strasbourg is bad without him\u2026 Emegha, that\u2019s a betrayal tonight. He didn\u2019t win a single duel.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Strasbourg were without Valentin Barco for the game due to injury. He is another player for the BlueCo side who looks set to make a move to Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"74909401-8595-4074-9a62-89a4ab9cee30\" data-story-name=\"New Chelsea Manager\" data-comment-id=\"fc1d865b-0117-436b-b311-f91fa998109e\" data-story-slug=\"new-chelsea-manager\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<p><h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">Xabi Alonso is the BEST candidate for the Chelsea job \ud83d\udc4c<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/Xabi-Alonso-819x1024.png\" alt=\"Xabi Alonso rumour graphic\" class=\"wp-image-365656\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/Xabi-Alonso-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/Xabi-Alonso-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/Xabi-Alonso-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/Xabi-Alonso-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/Xabi-Alonso-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/04\/Xabi-Alonso.png 1080w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"Real Madrid's Spanish coach Xabi Alonso reacts during the Spanish Super Cup final football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the King Abdullah Stadium\u00a0in Jeddah on January 11, 2026. (Photo by Fadel SENNA \/ AFP via Getty Images)\">Photo by Fadel SENNA \/ AFP via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-emegha-already-in-danger-of-not-making-it-at-chelsea\">Emegha already in danger of not making it at Chelsea<\/h2>\n<p>The 2025\/26 season has not been the best for the striker in terms of building himself up to be ready for Premier League action.<\/p>\n<p>He didn\u2019t feature for more than four months due to injury, and only sits on four Ligue 1 goals this season.<\/p>\n<p>Chelsea are planning to sell a number of strikers this summer, with Emegha\u2019s departure not being ruled out despite him not playing a game yet for the club.<\/p>\n<p>With the club reportedly looking to bring in players with Premier League experience, that could also work against Emegha as he looks to make the jump to top-level football.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more-wrapper lazy see-more-open see-more-blank extra-content\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/news\/french-media-give-up-on-chelsea-bound-emanuel-emegha-after-betrayal-to-strasbourg-let-him-go\/none\" data-type=\"subscribe\">\n<div class=\"see-more subscribe\">\n<figure class=\"newsletter\">\n<div><svg class=\"loading\" width=\"118\" height=\"36\" viewbox=\"0 0 118 36\"><use href=\"#dots-svg\"\/><\/svg><\/p>\n<div class=\"signup\"><span class=\"hf\">Join Our Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><script>grvLoadAnalytics = () => {(function(d,s,i){var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)(0),j=d.createElement(s);j.async=true;j.src=\"https:\/\/www.googletagmanager.com\/gtag\/js?id=\"+i;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(document,'script','G-E7VRWQHDP6');(function(d,s,i){if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){var e=d.createElement(s);var n=d.getElementsByTagName(s)(0);e.type=\"text\/javascript\";e.async=true;e.src=\"https:\/\/static.chartbeat.com\/js\/chartbeat.js\";n.parentNode.insertBefore(e,n);}})(document,\"script\",\"G-E7VRWQHDP6\");(function(){let s=document.createElement(\"script\");s.async=true;s.dataset.domain=\"thechelseachronicle.com\/MFj4XQ\";s.src=\"https:\/\/api.publytics.net\/js\/script.manual.ping.min.js\";document.getElementsByTagName(\"head\")(0).appendChild(s);})();if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){setTimeout(function(){!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=();t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)(0);s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script','https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');fbq('init','663509325503632');fbq('track','PageView');fbq('track','ViewContent',{content_name:'French media give up on Chelsea-bound Emanuel Emegha after &#8216;betrayal&#8217; to Strasbourg, &#8216;let him go&#8217;',content_category:'News',content_ids:(366029,\"emanuel-emegha\"),content_type:'post',});},3000);}}<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Add as preferred source on Google Strasbourg striker Emanuel Emegha is set to join Chelsea&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2972,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2971","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2971","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2971"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2971\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2972"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2971"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}