Strasbourg have decided to suspend Chelsea loanee and team captain Emanuel Emegha.
Chelsea are sure to have been alerted to news coming from across the channel about their striker-to-be in hot water with his current club.
Emegha is set to remain with Strasbourg until next season, but these rising tensions might lead Chelsea to change their minds.
Plenty of attackers have been linked ahead of the winter window — that’s just business as usual at Chelsea. They’re not feeling short-handed in the forward areas.
But could Emegha’s current situation spur them to make a snap decision?
Emmanuel Emegha scores for Strasbourg against Crystal Palace
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Emegha’s suspension over behaviour, from Chelsea’s perspective
It’s never good to see this kind of falling out. Strasbourg released a statement early on Wednesday about Emegha’s situation.
It reads: “Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace has decided to suspend Emmanuel Emegha for its next Ligue 1 match, this Saturday, December 6, in Toulouse.
“This decision was taken following the player’s recent failure to respect the club’s values, expectations and rules. Racing reaffirms its commitment to the essential principles of exemplary conduct and respect for the collective framework.
“Emmanuel remains an important member of our team, who has always given his all for the club on the pitch. He will be reintegrated into the squad after this match. No further comments will be made.”
What exactly the Dutchman did is yet to be revealed, but it was enough for them to take a rather drastic step, considering Strasbourg’s standing in Ligue 1 and the importance of upcoming fixtures.
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Emanuel Emegha reacts during Strasbourg vs Marseille
Photo by Sathire Kelpa/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
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Chelsea will look at this situation and consider a couple of things. Firstly, concerns over Emegha’s behaviour. As captain of the club, he shouldn’t be in this situation.
But he is, and Chelsea have the option of recalling Emegha in January.
Should the Blues extract the 22-year-old from a difficult situation, and bolster their own ranks in the process? There’s every chance of more injuries to attackers — it’s the nature of the game, the intensity of the schedule.
Emegha’s goal against Crystal Palace shows he can come in and contribute straight away. Even if it is at the expense of Tyrique George or Marc Guiu, a backup role can be found for him.
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Chelsea owner Behdad Eghbali and directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart at Wolves game
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If bridges are burning at Strasbourg, perhaps recalling Emegha is the better option.
But it’s never wise to come to conclusions without the facts. Chelsea will surely be informed of the finer details of the dispute, even if we aren’t.
If it is just one game and Chelsea are confident the relationship between player and club can be restored, it may be wiser to give him six more months as the main man at Strasbourg.