Emegha had a forgettable debut for Chelsea! - Source: Getty
Emegha had a forgettable debut for Chelsea! - Source: Getty
Xabi Alonso has made his feelings clear about Emmanuel Emegha missing a crucial penalty for Chelsea on his debut, as the Blues crashed out of the Carabao Cup. The visitors lost 6-5 on penalties at Anfield on Wednesday and Andoni Iraola's team progressed to the quarter-finals.
Emegha had been on the pitch for 25 minutes when Chelsea's Carabao Cup fate landed at his feet. The 23-year-old, sent on in the 68th minute for Danny Welbeck, walked up to take his penalty with the shootout level at 5-5 after Ryan Gravenberch had missed for Liverpool.
However, Emegha failed to convert as Giorgi Mamardashvili got down to keep his penalty out. Joe Gomez converted the next spot-kick, and after Wesley Fofana lifted his penalty into the Kop, Liverpool were through.
Speaking after the game, Alonso touched upon Emegha's forgettable debut:
“It's hard to make your debut with that moment that could mean everything for him, for us. But it is about learning from all the experiences, even like today when it was a sad one.
"And I said it myself, as soon as we get on the bus, I move on, I think about United.”
Coincidentally, both goals in regulation time came through penalties. Morgan Rogers put Chelsea ahead in the 40th minute after Gravenberch's challenge on Moises Caicedo inside the penalty area, and Cody Gakpo equalised in the 43rd after Fofana handled a corner. The visitors also lost Maxence Lacroix to injury, forcing Alonso into making further changes.
The Blues will now turn their attention to Saturday's Premier League clash with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. Alonso's men are fifth in the table with 13 points from eight games.
Emegha impressed at Strasbourg before sealing Chelsea move
Chelsea agreed the deal in September 2025, when Emegha was 22, with the striker staying at Strasbourg for the rest of that season before completing a seven-year contract.
The fee was reported at around €25m, nearly double the €13m Strasbourg paid Sturm Graz to sign him in 2023. The Dutch striker scored 14 goals and grabbed three assists in 27 Ligue 1 appearances in 2024/25, a campaign in which he captained Liam Rosenior's side and helped them finish seventh, enough for a Conference League qualifying place.
A thigh injury delayed his debut for Chelsea, and his first competitive minutes came at Anfield on Wednesday. With Joao Pedro currently out injured, Emegha may have a crucial role to play off the bench for the Blues in the coming weeks.