Chelsea’s latest recruit Emanuel Emegha was left ‘devastated’ on Sunday after being booed by his own supporters.
The Dutchman, 22, sealed a move to west London from Strasbourg earlier this week in the latest deal struck between the two BlueCo-owned clubs.
With the transfer window already over, Strasbourg captain Emegha will join the Blues next summer rather than in January, leaving him free to complete another season in the French top-flight.
However the news of his pending departure was met with a huge wave of backlash from the Ligue 1 club’s supporters during their 1-0 victory over Le Havre this afternoon.
The ultras displayed a banner reading: ‘Emegha, pawn of BlueCo. After changing shirt, give back your captain’s armband.’
Emegha, who is currently injured and was therefore not in Strasbourg’s matchday squad, was also loudly booed as he was handed his Player of the Month award pre-match.
Emanuel Emegha was booed by his own supporters during Strasbourg’s victory over Le Havre today
The Dutchman sealed a move to Chelsea earlier this week, but won’t join the club until next summer
His pending departure has however not gone down well with Strasbourg supporters, who demanded he give up the captaincy in a banner displayed at the stadium on Sunday
The appalling reception the young forward received was blasted by Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior after the game.
The former Hull City boss told the club’s media team: ‘Emanuel Emegha was devastated, and I was too.
‘I am very disappointed by what I saw, seeing a banner against one of last season’s best players is unacceptable.
‘My players deserve much better. They have an impeccable attitude and do not deserve this treatment. This is a pivotal season in which we will be playing in the European Cup, but it seems that a minority are unhappy with our performances.
‘It won’t change anything because I remain very proud of my players and Emanuel Emegha will remain captain as long as he is here. It must be emphasised that this does not concern everyone, but only a minority.’
While the fee paid by Chelsea to Strasbourg remains undisclosed, the Blues fended off interest from Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest for Emegha’s signature.
Chelsea and Strasbourg have been involved in a number of deals together. Last week, the Todd Boehly-owned side even re-signed one of their former players just weeks after selling him to Strasbourg in a bizarre transfer move.
Outcast left back Ben Chilwell moved to Strasbourg on a surprise loan deal earlier in the summer and Chelsea signed the French club’s centre back Mamadou Sarr in early June, only to loan him back there two months later.
Sister clubs Chelsea and Strasbourg have been involved in a number of deals together this summer
Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell moved to sister club Strasbourg on loan this summer
Academy prospect Ishe Samuels-Smith was the subject of a bizarre deal between the clubs
Emegha told L’Equipe of his transfer: ‘It’s the best thing for my career: I want to go as high as possible, play in the Champions League, the World Cup.
‘I could have signed for clubs participating in the Champions League this summer, but the overall project of Strasbourg and Chelsea appealed to me.
‘Now, I want to guide Racing in Europe. With this group, we started something great, and I wanted to see it through to the end. I’m going to give everything for the club this season. I also spoke to the coach about it, and his opinion was important to me.’
Having begun his career at Sparta Rotterdam, the Netherlands youth international went on to enjoy spells at Royal Antwerp and Sturm Graz before sealing a move to Strasbourg two years ago.
Since joining the Ligue 1 side, Emegha has bagged an impressive 26 goals in 64 appearances in all competitions.
