Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
The last place Emmanuel Emegha thought he might be playing this season would be in Italy. However, as the deadline draws near, the new Chelsea striker could be shipped out on loan immediately.
It was believed that Xabi Alonso had picked his three-man strike force this season. Joao Pedro as first choice, with veteran Danny Welbeck supporting him. Emegha has joined from Strasbourg this summer.
The Dutchman endured a difficult 2025-26, with injury and left Strasbourg on bad terms. His pre-season at Chelsea didn’t go to plan either, having missed the tour of Australia and Asia due to a muscle injury.
However, Alonso looked as though he was going to give Emegha a chance. Now, the striker could end up in Italy if new reports are true, despite Marc Guiu, Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson possibly departing too.
READ MORE: Italian media deliver verdict on Trevoh Chalobah as Como defender shines on debut
Fiorentina eye shock move to sign Emmanuel Emegha
Clearly, Emegha’s agents remain at work, or the club have not made a full decision regarding the striker. His last 12 months have been tricky, and it may be that Alonso wants to see him impress on loan, at first.
That is because widely-respected journalist Nicolo Schira has claimed on X that Fiorentina are interested in doing a deal to sign Emegha. Obviously, a deal is likely to be a loan for Emegha if he were to depart.
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Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP via Getty Images
While Emegha might feel hard done by that he’s not even earned himself a chance, he may even feel himself that he is not going to play much football – and would be better off impressing Alonso from afar.
Fiorentina struggled last season, but they saved themselves from relegation after their work in January kept them up. They signed Manor Solomon and Jack Harrison from Premier League clubs on loan.
Emegha could face Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah
Chalobah made his competitive debut for Como on Saturday and earned praise from the Italian media after a 1-1 draw against Udinese. It came on the same day that Napoli finally announced Badiashile.
Emanuel Emegha reacts during Strasbourg vs Marseille
Photo by Sathire Kelpa/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Napoli then secured a superb 2-0 away win over Genoa, with Kevin De Bruyne scoring. Now, Chalobah and Badiashile could find themselves marking Emegha throughout the 2026-27 campaign if he does join.
Fiorentina host Napoli on September 20, less than a month before a possible reunion between Emegha and Badiashile – even if their initial meeting might have been brief. Fiorentina face Como on October 17.
It is interesting to learn what Chelsea’s stance on Emegha is. But Fiorentina are interested, and if Chelsea do make him available for a loan, there is sure to be plenty of interest from around Europe this summer.