Chelsea might sell a player they just signed this month as Xabi Alonso’s big team changes keep going.
Chelsea might be thinking about selling Emmanuel Emegha, even though the striker only just joined the club from Strasbourg in early July. The Blues announced last September that they had agreed to sign the 23-year-old Netherlands international ahead of this season.
Emegha joined his first training session at Cobham last week with the Chelsea first team for pre-season. But Simon Johnson from The Athletic now says that his future at the club might already be uncertain.
Chelsea haven’t yet decided which forward to sell this summer among Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap, and Emegha, but one is likely to leave. Jackson is currently with Chelsea’s pre-season squad after spending last season on loan at Bayern Munich, who reached the Champions League semi-finals. So, it could be Delap who leaves Stamford Bridge.
Delap, 23, scored just one goal in 28 Premier League games last season after moving from relegated Ipswich Town for £30 million. Meanwhile, Chelsea might still look to sign another striker, with Joao Pedro as their top choice, which could make things tough for Emegha.
Last season at Strasbourg, Emegha scored only four goals in Ligue 1. He played just 10 games due to injuries—a thigh injury in December kept him out for two months, and he had a setback after returning. Later, a muscle injury stopped him from playing in Strasbourg’s Conference League semi-final against Rayo Vallecano. Despite scoring four goals in seven games on their run to the semis, his injuries seemed to affect his chances of being picked for the Netherlands 2026 World Cup squad.
In December, Emegha was given a one-game suspension by his former Strasbourg and Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior over comments he made to the media. But Rosenior also praised Emegha’s attacking skills and energy before he left for Chelsea in January: “He’s been fantastic. He’s still young and causes problems for defenders with his energy, running, and pressing.”
Besides Emegha, Sporting Lisbon winger Geovany Quenda officially joined Chelsea at the start of July, following a £40 million deal agreed in March 2025. They also signed Italian wing-back Marco Pellestra from Atalanta for up to £51 million, replacing Marc Cucurella, who moved to Real Madrid.
Other changes include Tyrique George leaving permanently for Everton after a loan, and midfielder Andrey Santos moving to Manchester United for £48 million. Alejandro Garnacho is also expected to leave, which would be his third club in 12 months. Manager Alonso said in his first press conference that he “hopes this story ends well for everyone.”