Chelsea Transfers

[Vesper 30,151]

Wanna score goals in transition? Sign Emanuel Emegha

Clubs are lining up for the Strasbourg striker. Who should pull the trigger?

https://scoutedftbl.com/why-everyone-wants-emanuel-emegha/?ref=notebook-newsletter

 

If the transfer rumour mill hints at any indication of reality, there's rarely a moment when the scouting departments of big and upwardly-mobile clubs decide they’re satisfied with their strikers. This looks especially true for the upcoming summer window: Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and more are all on the hunt for a centre-forward.

Enter Emanuel Emegha. The 22-year-old Dutchman is the latest success story from the Sturm Graz Striker Factory, and joined BlueCo-owned Strasbourg in 2023 for a reported €13 million. He's scored 14 goals in 27 appearances this season, translating into 0.55 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes - the 7th-highest in Ligue 1.  A young, prolific goalscorer is always bound to attract attention, and Emegha has been linked to a wide variety of clubs, including Chelsea, Newcastle United, Roma, Crystal Palace, and West Ham.

Emegha’s performance and the gathering clouds of interest merit a deeper dive. But to do that, we'll need to understand more about Strasbourg, their tactical approach, and the platform the young forward has been given. All this will lead us to a simple conclusion: if you play fast and hard, Emegha should be on your radar. Let's dig in.

💡

Coming up...
• How Strasbourg are one of France's most dynamic sides
• The raw speed and shot volume that makes Emegha so enticing
• ...and the misses that make him less so
• Who's gunna fix him?

 

How do RC Strasbourg play?

Liam Rosenior’s Strasbourg aren’t your typical side in possession. They’re the kind of team that goes from a deep build-up like this…

…to a pseudo-counter-attacking situation like this, within seconds.

Strasbourg are yet another upwardly-mobile side in Europe that look to bait the opposition’s press close to their own goal before suddenly changing tempo and swiftly attacking the space the press leaves behind, creating ‘artificial transitions’. Strasbourg take the highest share of their touches in their own third in the league (40.4%) but also take the 4^th-fewest touches in the final third per shot (10.6), indicating how much they move the ball around in their own third yet how quickly they try to get a shot off in the opponent's. As you can see in the plot below, that makes them the mirror image of a more conventional possession-based side like PSG.

As a result, Strasbourg regularly create high-quality chances, with the 3^rd-highest xG/shot in the league (0.13).

 

snip

[King Kante 1,643]

1 hour ago, Vesper said:

15.20pm - Claims Chelsea are sending Sancho back

According to @DiscoMirror, who is a Manchester United correspondent, Jadon Sancho will return to United this summer.

Hope this is true. 

[ZAPHOD2319 4,814]

The Chelsea links to Garnacho will be everywhere tomorrow. The rumored price is £60M.

 

[Pizy 18,891]

If our ownership/transfer handlers want to really piss this fanbase off they’ll go for Garnacho. I seriously can’t handle another bang average winger coming in and being horribly inconsistent.

 

[MoroccanBlue 5,380]

I’m done if we get Garnacho. 

[TheHulk 2,432]

Afraid Maresca will ruin him.

[Thor 2,693]

Neto and Estevao on the right is sorted IMO. 

Cole and Estevao playing the 10 role. 

Jackson and a top tier striker will sort us. 

I think our midfield is set between Caicedo, Enzo, Lavia, Santos and Essugo. 

Between Gusto, James and Acheampong - I think we're good at RB.

LB probably need a back up for Cucu. 

CB needs work and keeper. 

 

Basically we need a top striker, a decent LW, a CB and a keeper. LB can find someone in the academy to bring up and makeshift Gusto when Cucu needs a break. 

 

Rodrygo, Osimhen and Murilo. 

[OneMoSalah 8,886]

20 hours ago, Vesper said:

Arsenal and Liverpool want 35-G/A “amazing footballer”, transfer meeting likely next week

Arsenal and Liverpool are among clubs keen on signing Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid at the end of the season.

https://www.caughtoffside.com/2025/05/22/arsenal-and-liverpool-want-julian-alvarez/

The 25-year-old is one of the best strikers in La Liga, and he could be an exceptional acquisition for the Premier League club.

According to a report from El Chiringuito, meetings will begin with the clubs interested in Julian Alvarez next week. The Spanish club could consider selling the player if a substantial offer is presented in the summer.

Arsenal need a reliable centre-forward

Arsenal are in desperate need of a quality goal-scorer, and the 25-year-old could lead the line for next season. They have looked toothless in the attack at times, and the lack of a reliable finisher has cost them another league title.

Alvarez will add goals and creativity to the Arsenal attack if he joins the club. In addition to that, he is a hard-working player who will help out defensively and with his playmaking abilities. The South American is versatile enough to operate anywhere across the front three, and he could be an asset for Arsenal if they manage to get the deal done.

Liverpool need Julian Alvarez

Similarly, Liverpool are crying out for a reliable forward as well. Darwin Nunez has been very underwhelming, and he needs to be replaced. Signing the World Cup winner would be a major coup for Liverpool. It remains to be seen whether they can convince the player to return to England.

He has proven his quality in the Premier League with Manchester City in the past, and there is no doubt that he could hit the ground running if he joins Liverpool or Arsenal. Alvarez has been hailed as an “amazing footballer” by Erling Haaland.

The player has 29 goals to his name this season, and he has picked up six assists as well. He is unlikely to be a cheap acquisition, and it remains to be seen whether the two English clubs can convince Atletico Madrid to sell him.

His winning experience could prove to be vital for Liverpool as well. He has won the Premier League title, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, Club World Cup, and the World Cup and the Copa America with his country.

Eh why would he of left Man City to play 1 season in Spain and move back to the PL again 😂

Was well known he didn’t like England because of the weather also.  

What a horseshit rumour. Signed for £82m to move back to England after 1 season 🤣

[mkh 577]

🚨 BREAKING from @La_SER:

Real Madrid would demand around €80M (£67.5m) for Rodrygo this summer.

[King Kante 1,643]

8 hours ago, TheHulk said:

Afraid Maresca will ruin him.

Yeah, I can just imagine his first day in training Maresca saying something like: 

Right, you little fucker. At Chelsea the ball goes sideways and backwards. Any of that dribbling and forward play stuff will get your skinny arse dropped to the U18's. Understand that CL qualification is only an aspiration around here. As coach my aim is purely for Conference League glory. 

Edited May 23 by King Kante

[TheHulk 2,432]

 

[MoroccanBlue 5,380]

“Senior source” = brown envelops 

[Reddish-Blue 2,503]

10 hours ago, TheHulk said:

Afraid Maresca will ruin him.

Hopefully not, we need that natural flair and skill, could be that Hazard-like talent that we've missed

[Pizy 18,891]

Estevão looks like he could genuinely become world class if he settles in well here and is developed properly. Incredibly impressed once again by the compilation I watched of the match from last night. His comfort and ability on the ball is insane for his age as is the power he generates from his shots for such a tiny kid. 

My hope is that he is used and integrated straight away and isn’t treated like the other teenagers under Maresca where they see a few minutes here and there. If he settles in to a new country quickly we could have someone insane on our hands.

[Reddish-Blue 2,503]

1 hour ago, King Kante said:

Right, you little fucker. At Chelsea the ball goes sideways and backwards. Any of that dribbling and forward play stuff will get your skinny arse dropped to the U18's. Understand that CL qualification is only an aspiration around here. As coach my aim is purely for Conference League glory. 

He'd have to beat Betis to say the last part and you just know Pellegrini will cook us in the final.