Chelsea make transfer U-TURN after Liam Delap injury

Chelsea are reportedly considering bringing forward their deal to sign Emmanuel Emegha following news that Liam Delap could miss the next two months after dislocating his shoulder on Saturday.

The former England U21 international was forced off during the first-half of Chelsea’s 0-0 draw against Bournemouth, following a tussle with Marcos Senesi, and it has emerged that he is likely to be sidelined for eight weeks.

The 22-year-old has struggled to adapt to life at Stamford Bridge following his arrival from Ipswich Town this summer, scoring just two goals in 17 games for his new club, but his absence will still be a hammer blow for Enzo Maresca.

Joao Pedro and Marc Guiu are expected to share minutes as Chelsea’s preferred centre forward while Delap is on the treatment table, although the Blues could dip into the transfer market in January to bolster the attacking options at Maresca’s disposal.

The west London giants have been linked with a number of centre forwards since the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign, including Samu Aghehowa, Victor Osimhen and Karl Etta Eyong, but reports have suggested they are unlikely to be particularly active during the upcoming winter window.

Despite this, the club could now opt to engage in talks with Strasbourg over an early deal for Emegha.

Emmanuel Emegha to Chelsea in January?

Chelsea have already announced that Emegha will join Maresca’s first-team squad from sister club Strasbourg next summer, with rumours speculating that a fee of €25 million has been agreed between the two clubs.

However, TEAMtalk now claim that Chelsea are looking at the possibility of bringing Emegha to Stamford Bridge in January following Delap’s injury.

Strasbourg are understandably reluctant to allow the Netherlands international to depart halfway through the season, but Chelsea would likely finalise a deal during the first few days of the winter window in order to allow the Ligue 1 outfit time to find a suitable replacement.

Emegha has scored seven goals and provided two assists in just 11 appearances so far this season, averaging a goal contribution every 74 minutes.

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