Liam Rosenior has already stuck up for Chelsea star after 'unacceptable' fan incident

Chelsea-linked Liam Rosenior once made a brave stand after a soon-to-be Blues star was abused by Strasbourg's supporters

Liam Rosenior has already shown the leadership credentials that have seen him linked with the Chelsea job by leaping to the defence of incoming Blues striker Emanuel Emegha. Following Enzo Maresca's shock departure on New Year's Day, the Strasbourg head coach has emerged as the leading candidate to replace the Italian.

The 41-year-old has impressed in Ligue 1, guiding BlueCo-owned Strasbourg to a seventh-place finish last season. Central to the club's success in 2024/25 was captain Emegha, who netted 14 goals in 27 league games.

In September, it was announced that the Dutchman would be joining Chelsea at the end of the 2025/26 season - a decision that sparked anger among sections of the Strasbourg fanbase, many of whom are increasingly frustrated by the club's perceived status as a feeder team.

Shortly after the £22million deal was confirmed, multiple banners appeared in the home section against both Emegha and the club's president Marc Keller. One, directed at Emegha, read: "Apres avoir change de maillot, rends ton brassard" [After changing your shirt, give back your armband].

Rosenior was quick to respond, branding the protest "unacceptable" and insisting that Emegha had "earned" a move to a club of Chelsea's stature. "I was sad when I saw that for one of my players, who's given everything for the club, who deserves to move to a top club," he said.

"We're not there yet. Hopefully Strasbourg will be seen in two, three years as a top European club. The reality is at the moment, we're not. We have clubs who are higher up the pecking order than we are.

"Emegha is the heart of the team in the way that he plays. For my young team, I have to protect them because they should be celebrated for what they’re doing, not penalised for it."

Emegha has not allowed the criticism to derail his form, with the 22-year-old scoring seven goals in 11 appearances so far this season. However, his campaign has been disrupted by injury, limiting him to just three league outings since September.

Should Rosenior make the move to Chelsea, it could give Emegha the opportunity to hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge next season. He won't, however, be the only striker at the club with an existing relationship with the English coach.

Liam Delap, who has struggled for form and fitness following his £30million arrival from Ipswich in the summer, played under Rosenior while on loan at Hull City in 2023/24. There, he scored eight goals in 26 starts, with Rosenior frequently praising the forward's ability and potential.

"He [Delap] is one of a kind and I love him," Rosenior said in November 2023. "He is probably the player who I shout at the most in training. But he is a player I enjoy working with a lot as well... he is showing some really positive moments for us."

A Rosenior move to Chelsea would also be promising for Andrey Santos. The Brazilian midfielder enjoyed a breakthrough season on loan at Strasbourg, scoring 11 goals, providing six assists and earning the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award.

Since returning to Chelsea, he's been used mainly from the bench, with Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez proving difficult to unseat in midfield. However, Rosenior's familiarity with him could change that.

Chelsea are expected to name a new manager in the coming days, though the appointment is unlikely to take effect in time for Sunday's trip to Manchester City. Alongside Rosenior, names such as Porto's Francesco Farioli and former Blues stars Cesc Fabregas, currently in charge of Como, and Filipe Luis, who manages Flamengo, have also been linked to the role.