Emmanuel Emegha will arrive at Chelsea this summer, and the striker is sure to have been watching his new club in action. He will have seen Jorrel Hato shine against Tottenham.
The Dutchman is set to complete a permanent move from Strasbourg to Chelsea this summer as BlueCo uses the connection between the two clubs once again. He follows Liam Rosenior in moving to Chelsea.
He isn’t the first, and he won’t be the last. Indeed, midfielder Valentin Barco is set to join Chelsea in the summer after waving goodbye to Strasbourg supporters on social media, following their final outing.
How many goals will Emanuel Emegha score for Chelsea next season?
Emanuel Emegha reacts during Strasbourg vs Marseille
Photo by Sathire Kelpa/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Emegha has endured a difficult season, having already signed for Chelsea, with injury limiting the striker to just 10 Ligue 1 outings. He will be desperate to make more of an impact at Chelsea next season.
Emmanuel Emegha impressed by his Chelsea pal Jorrel Hato
Emegha will at least have one face he recognises when he moves to Chelsea in the coming months. The striker played alongside Jorrel Hato in Netherlands’ U21 side twice during the 2023-24 season.
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-TOTTENHAM
Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images
Now, he will reunite with Hato at Stamford Bridge under the guidance of Xabi Alonso. Watching from afar, Emegha was impressed with the former Ajax defender’s performance during Chelsea’s 2-1 win.
Hato had posted on Instagram: “Important result at the Bridge. Grateful for the home support all year long.” Plenty responded in the comments praising Hato, including Emegha: “What a game, lad!”.
Hato is easily Chelsea’s most-improved player this season
Bought from Ajax for £37m last summer, Hato got off to a slow start under Enzo Maresca. He got more game time under Liam Rosenior, and despite Chelsea’s form, he had shown major signs of improvement.
Hato, Joao Pedro or someone else? 🤔
Jorrel Hato prove me wrong graphic
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Despite being hooked at half-time against West Ham, Hato is now considered one of Chelsea’s best defenders. Especially since he has been pushed into the middle of the defence in the last few weeks.
Calum McFarlane says Hato has been “immense” since Rosenior left Chelsea, while Troy Deeney reckons Hato’s goal-saving tackle on James Maddison might actually end up relegating Tottenham this weekend.
While all the talk is about Chelsea needing more experienced players, and that is correct, Hato acts as a reminder that signing young players with enormous potential can still have its rewards.
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