Strasbourg fans have branded their captain, Emanuel Emegha, a “pawn of BlueCo” and demanded he be stripped of the captaincy after he agreed to a pre-contract deal with Chelsea.
Supporters expressed their disappointment during the club’s recent match, highlighting their frustration with both the transfer and the influence of the owners.
Last week, Chelsea confirmed that the Dutch forward would join the London club from sister club Strasbourg at the conclusion of the current season. The announcement came after weeks of speculation and immediately drew strong reactions from supporters.
Emegha, who scored 14 league goals last season, had attracted interest from several clubs but chose to remain at Strasbourg for one more season.
In interviews, he explained that he wanted to continue growing and developing at Strasbourg before making the switch to Chelsea, hoping to leave on a high note.
Despite his assurances, fans have remained unconvinced. During Strasbourg’s home game against Le Havre on Sunday, a banner in the crowd read: “Emegha, pawn of BlueCo. After changing shirts, give your armband back.”
The reaction surprised both staff and players, who believed they had secured the supporters’ goodwill following an impressive season that saw Strasbourg qualify for European competition.
Reacting to the banner after the game, head coach Liam Rosenior expressed disappointment at the intensity of the backlash. He praised Emegha’s professionalism and emphasized that the striker continues to give his all for Strasbourg.
The same sentiment was shared by teammate Diego Moreira, who joined Strasbourg from Chelsea after a brief stint.
Moreira said, “I don’t know why they want him to leave straight away. OK, he has signed for Chelsea, but he is still here.” His remarks reinforced the idea that players remain committed to the club despite the looming transfer.
Fans’ distrust of BlueCo has been fueled by past transfer dealings.
Earlier this summer, Ishé Samuels-Smith joined Strasbourg from Chelsea on a permanent deal, only to return to Stamford Bridge and then be sent on loan to Swansea City, all within the same transfer window.
Supporters displayed a banner reading: “They’re taking us for fools,” signaling frustration over decisions seen as prioritizing ownership interests over the club and its fans.
Strasbourg has invested heavily this season, bringing in 18 new players for a total of €110 million, making them Ligue 1’s top spenders.
Despite this ambitious recruitment, the shadow of BlueCo’s control continues to strain relations with supporters, who remain wary of external influence over team affairs.
