Enzo Maresca gets dream scenario as 'next Zlatan' fires Chelsea chiefs clear message

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The latest Chelsea transfer news as future Blues star shows his talents in France after returning from injury

Future Chelsea forward Emanuel Emegha impressed on his return from injury as BlueCo chiefs watched from the stands. The 22-year-old Dutchman is set to join Chelsea next season after the Blues agreed a deal with fellow BlueCo-owned club RC Strasbourg for the 2026/27 campaign.

Emegha has endured back-to-back hamstring injuries this season, making it a difficult start for the young striker. Despite those setbacks, he marked his return in style on Sunday, scoring both goals in Strasbourg’s 2-0 win over Lille.

It wasn’t just the home fans who were impressed. In the stands, Strasbourg president Marc Keller was joined by BlueCo co-owner Behdad Eghbali and Global Director of Recruitment Sam Jewell.

All three will have been delighted with Emegha’s display and excited by what his future could hold at Chelsea. Blues boss Enzo Maresca will also be looking forward to working with the Dutchman next season, having already been made aware of his potential.

Emegha’s former Sparta Rotterdam Under-16s coach once compared him to two sporting greats, telling L’Equipe: “He has a Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Michael Jordan side [to him].”

His brace against Lille didn’t just underline his quality but also his resilience in returning from injury. His form this season is impressive too, with six goals and two assists in eight appearances.

BlueCo’s ownership of both Chelsea and Strasbourg has allowed players to move between the two clubs, with the Blues regarded as the group’s primary asset.

However, Emegha’s situation unsurprisingly hasn’t gone down well with Strasbourg supporters, who were unhappy to see their player pictured holding a Chelsea shirt while still playing in France.

A spokesperson for Strasbourg’s four main supporter groups told The Independent: “I’m guessing every English fan would react the way we did if you saw your captain wearing another club’s jersey three games into the season. It just doesn’t go. This was unbearable for us.”

BlueCo’s ownership of Strasbourg remains unpopular among fans. Protests have been held at the Stade de la Meinau, with supporters voicing their anger at being treated as what they perceive to be a “feeder club.”

Chelsea announced Emegha’s move just 11 days after the summer transfer window closed. Maresca is unlikely to concern himself with the politics behind the move, he’ll simply be pleased to have a player of Emegha’s talent arriving at Stamford Bridge next season.