Chelsea face Bournemouth after the international break and Xabi Alonso may be able to call upon a new player who has now recovered from injury
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso may be able to call upon Emmanuel Emegha after the international break (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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Emmanuel Emegha has returned to full Chelsea training and could make his debut for the club against Bournemouth on October 10.
The Dutchman officially joined the club in the summer from Strasbourg, with the Blues agreeing a deal to sign the 23-year-old in September 2025. Stamford Bridge bosses were aware of the mass interest in the forward's signature and decided to act promptly, football.london understands, but Emegha has not had the start he probably envisaged.
The summer arrival suffered a hamstring injury during the behind-closed-doors friendly win against Bromley in July, a game in which he scored in. This injury meant he missed the pre-season tour of Australia and Asia and he has been playing catch-up ever since.
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Emegha came close to making his first appearance on August 27 after being named on the bench for the Carabao Cup win over Luton Town, but didn't come on at Stamford Bridge. That is the only matchday squad he has made this season due to injury.
But the Dutch forward, who started his career at Jong Sparta before spells with Sparta Rotterdam, Antwerp and Sturm Graz, has now returned to full fitness and has been pictured in Chelsea training over the international break. He had been in Dubai but is now back at Cobham working hard with the likes of Gabriel Slonina, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Pep Chavarria, Marco Palestra, Malo Gusto, Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck.
With Joao Pedro currently injured and potentially facing a few weeks out, Xabi Alonso only really has Danny Welbeck as an option up top. Emegha perhaps offers something different and could be a decent weapon for the Blues in the coming weeks, with Chelsea playing five games in the space of 21 days. Emegha scored eight goals and contributed two assists in 18 appearances for Strasbourg last season.
Alonso has previously made it clear Emegha will get chances, too. "I see him playing on the last line, where he has space; he is such a big threat,” the Spaniard said.
“He has been here for a few months, he had an injury that he missed some part of the pre-season, sorry for him, but he is young, he has very special qualities and we hope that he feels better and he takes those steps that he is going to be more involved. Young players, when they come, they need to be patient, but knowing that for sure they will have a better opportunity.”
Chelsea welcome Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge on October 10 and Emegha will be hoping to get on the pitch against the Cherries in what would be his first appearance for the Blues.