Enzo Maresca’s new striker Emanuel Emegha continued his fine goalscoring form for Strasbourg with a goal against one of the Premier League’s toughest defences
Incoming Chelsea striker Emanuel Emegha showed his capability against Premier League opposition on Thursday night with a goal in Strasbourg’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in the UEFA Conference League.
Emegha will join the Blues in 2026 from the Ligue 1 side after an agreement was struck in September. The forward scored 14 goals in 27 league games last term and has netted an additional four in six this term.
Strasbourg was bought by BlueCo, Chelsea’s owners in a ÂŁ65 million deal two years ago. Former Blues defender Ben Chilwell recently moved to France for free with Mamadou Sarr switching to Stamford Bridge for ÂŁ12m in June before returning on a season-long loan.
Emegha will join Enzo Maresca’s team next summer to bolster the Blues’ attack. Liam Delap and Joao Pedro both joined the club before the 2025/26 season, with Nicolas Jackson allowed to leave for Bayern Munich.
With Chelsea flying high this term, Maresca and his staff will be keeping a close eye on Emegha’s performances in France before he arrives in London. On Thursday, the 22-year-old showed exactly what he can do with a goal against Palace.
After Tyrick Mitchell had put the Eagles ahead in the first-half, Strasbourg came from behind to win. Despite Palace squandering three huge chances, the Ligue 1 side levelled after half-time through Emegha before Samir El Mourabet netted the winner.
Former Chelsea winger Diego Moreira created the goal with a teasing cross to the back post. Emegha’s contact wasn’t perfect, but it was enough to divert the ball past Dean Henderson.
After the game, Liam Rosenior was full of praise for the incoming Chelsea star. “He’s been fantastic for me,” he told TNT Sports. “He’s still very young himself, he causes problems for defenders, with his running, his energy, his pressing.
“I’m very lucky. I have two amazing strikers, Panichelli came on and helped to see out the game. I’ve got some outstanding young players that are a delight to work with.”
Delap and Pedro are Chelsea’s current go-to No.9 options with Marc Guiu and Tyrique George providing depth for Maresca. With Jackson not expected to return to Maresca’s plans, if Bayern decide against the conditions to sign him permanently, Emegha will come in as his replacement.
“It’s the best 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 Strasbourg 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 and his opinion was important to me.”
