Chelsea face Strasbourg REVOLT after latest wonderkid news

Tom Weber

Updated: 22 Mar 2024 17:21 GMT
4 min read

Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali, Chelsea — © IMAGO

Chelsea loanee Angelo Gabriel could be out for the season and this is horrendous news for RC Strasbourg.

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The relationship between the two BlueCo-owned clubs is strained, at least as far as fans are concerned. Indeed, it is fair to say that Strasbourg supporters are growing increasingly exasperated - and for good reason.

Their side, which mostly consists of young players, is hovering dangerously above the Ligue 1 relegation zone despite massive summer investment. Equally as infuriating as the on-pitch performances has been Strasbourg's transfer business, particularly in January.

The only immediate winter arrival in Alsace was Chelsea wonderkid Andrey Santos, the second young, Blues-owned Brazilian to join the French sister club this season after Angelo Gabriel.

The lack of signings - despite head coach Patrick Vieira demanding reinforcements - was seen by supporters as further proof that Strasbourg are being turned into a Chelsea farm team, which even forced Racing president Marc Keller to insist that his side is not part of a BlueCo pyramid scheme.

Angelo out for the season?

The latest development coming out of Chelsea will only further stoke the fans' rage. According to the Evening Standard, Angelo could be out for the rest of the season due to an ongoing hernia problem.

This is a major issue for Strasbourg as he is the only recognised right-winger at the club because Blues co-owner Behdad Eghbali allegedly consciously refused to sign a potential competitor for the 19-year-old in January in order to maximise his game time.

Vieira has already been forced to switch to a winger-less formation and Strasbourg ultras have now made their anger public with an open letter. “Two transfer windows have come and gone, and all we can do is watch helplessly as our club is stripped of all its experienced players in favour of young, up-and-coming players."

"It is now clear that BlueCo requires the recruitment of players aged 23 years or under. We’re not fooled! No professional club can be competitive under these conditions. Without balanced recruitment, the tens of millions invested in these young players will not serve Racing but only the interests of the new owners.”