Alonso rules Emegha out of Everton clash with fresh injury

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 09:20 · Archive

Emmanuel Emegha remains unavailable for Chelsea after picking up a fresh hamstring issue.

Emmanuel Emegha will not feature for Chelsea against Everton on Saturday, manager Xabi Alonso confirmed. The Dutch striker picked up a minor injury during training this week that has prevented his involvement in the upcoming fixture.

Emegha joined Chelsea for £21 million last year and spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Strasbourg, where he scored eight goals in 18 appearances. He began pre-season well, scoring in back-to-back behind-closed-doors friendlies against Crawley and Bromley, but sustained a hamstring injury that has since derailed his Chelsea career.

The 23-year-old remains without a competitive appearance for the club. Though he was fit enough to sit on the bench during the Carabao Cup victory over Luton Town in August, the ongoing hamstring issue has prevented him from playing. Alonso indicated Emegha will resume training next week but emphasised he is not yet 100 per cent fit. The manager expressed confidence in the striker's potential, describing him as 'very special' and highlighting his physical attributes and threat when fully available.

How it is being reported

• Xabi Alonso reveals he has ‘very special’ Chelsea star he will unleash very soonAlonso has big plans for the striker (Picture: Shutterstock Editorial) 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…Metro · 17 Oct, 09:08
• Xabi Alonso reveals injury setback for missing Chelsea summer signing who has yet to debutEmmanuel Emegha is yet to feature for the Blues since joining over the summerEvening Standard · 16 Oct, 14:33

In this story: Emmanuel Emegha · Xabi Alonso · Chelsea · Everton

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