EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Dennis Goodwin/ProSports/Shutterstock (17206004ej) Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge, London Chelsea v Bournemouth, Premier League - 10 Oct 2026
EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Dennis Goodwin/ProSports/Shutterstock (17206004ej) Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge, London Chelsea v Bournemouth, Premier League - 10 Oct 2026
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso is relishing the opportunity to use the ‘very special’ Emmanuel Emegha once the striker has recovered from injury.
Emegha was signed by Chelsea for £21million last year, spending the 2025-26 season on loan at Strasbourg where he scored eight goals in 18 appearances.
The Netherlands international scored in pre-season games against Crawley and Bromley but a hamstring injury ruled him out of the pre-season action.
While he was fit enough to take a spot on the bench in the Carabao Cup victory over Luton Town in August, his troublesome hamstring injury has prevented him from playing a single minute of action this season.
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Emegha was targeted for a loan move in the final weeks of the summer transfer window with Alonso blocking a move for the Dutchman.
A minor issue suffered in training this week has further delayed his debut ahead of the clash with Everton this afternoon but Alonso has made it clear how highly he rates the 23-year-old.
‘He’s not [ready] yet; he felt something yesterday, little thing, he’s going to be training next week, but still not 100 per cent fit to be playing in the game,’ said Alonso.
Emmanuel Emegha of Chelsea
Emegha is still to play for the club (Picture: Shutterstock Editorial)
‘When he’s fit, he’s very special because he’s 1.95 metres, he’s quick, he attacks the space, he’s a threat, so he needs to be fully fit.
[Mandatory Credit: Photo by Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse/Shutterstock (16449517h) Napoli's head coach Antonio Conte During the Napoli-Chelsea Champions League press conference in the press room at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on January 27, 2026. Champions League, Naples Press Conference Ahead of the Race Against Chelsea, Italy - 27 Jan 2026
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse/Shutterstock (16449517h) Napoli's head coach Antonio Conte During the Napoli-Chelsea Champions League press conference in the press room at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on January 27, 2026. Champions League, Naples Press Conference Ahead of the Race Against Chelsea, Italy - 27 Jan 2026](https://metro.co.uk/2026/10/15/antonio-conte-sends-message-man-utd-replacing-michael-carrick-29713558/)
‘At this moment he’s had little things and unfortunately he’s not been available but we are looking forward to when he feels good and when he can help the team.
COBHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 16: Manager Xabi Alonso of Chelsea during a press conference at Chelsea Training Ground on October 16, 2026 in Cobham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
COBHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 16: Manager Xabi Alonso of Chelsea during a press conference at Chelsea Training Ground on October 16, 2026 in Cobham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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‘But it’s going to be difficult for the defenders when he’s in good shape.’
Emegha missed large portions of last season through injury with a hamstring problem ruling him out for nine games.
A muscle tear saw him miss four months of action from December to April, missing 20 games in total, while a dead leg sidelined him for the remaining four games of the season.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 13: Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between Arsenal FC and LOSC Lille at Arsenal Stadium on October 13, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 13: Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between Arsenal FC and LOSC Lille at Arsenal Stadium on October 13, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)