Following an extremely underwhelming 2022-23 season, Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace have been active in this summer’s transfer market to help strengthen their squad. After being purchased by Chelsea FC owner Todd Boehly and his group, Boehly is beginning to build a multi-club system for Chelsea similar to Premier League competitors Manchester City. Boehly hopes to use the club to serve as a place to develop young players giving them quality minutes before moving to the fierce competition of the Premier League.

Boehly has been extremely smart at avoiding Financial Fair Play allegations by signing players to long-term contracts, and if he is able to loan players to RC Strasbourg they can develop while still being under contract for Chelsea FC. The American businessman has been criticized for this purchase due to last season’s struggles in the Premier League but it is clear Boehly plans to own a portfolio of clubs to help his own financial success but also aid Chelsea’s development. 

The new ownership will provide an influx of cash and resources to RC Strasbourg, as Boehly wants players to develop in Ligue 1. After being in the preliminary stages of the UEFA Europa League in the 2019-20 season, RC Strasbourg have fallen from their amazing form. With new ownership and the addition of their new signings, RC Strasbourg look to climb the Ligue 1 table again and develop their young signings. 

Key Arrivals

Abakar Sylla

The 20-year-old joins from Club Brugge for €20 million, and he’ll be looking to provide defensive help to a side that conceded 59 goals in 38 matches. After a breakout season in which he helped Brugge to a Champions League run, he has joined RC Strasbourg. 

Racing Club de Strasbourg: The History Behind Les Bleu et Blanc

The left-footed Ivorian defender is extremely comfortable and composed on the ball, often using his technical ability to dribble out of pressure. Sylla also has an amazing physical presence, standing at 1,88 m, which he uses to dispossess or make the opposition uncomfortable when receiving the ball with their back to goal. 

Emanuel Emegha

Emanuel Emegha will be looking to bolster RC Strasbourg’s attack which only managed to score 51 goals last season. This type of goal production isn’t viable if RC Strasbourg hopes to challenge the upper half of the table, but Emegha will be hoping to bolster their arsenal and live up to his €13 million price tag. Playing in the Austrian Bundesliga last season for Sturm Graz, the forward managed 10 goals and 5 assists in 38 appearances in all competitions. While his scoring record isn’t the best, Emegha will be looking for considerably more game time at Strasbourg in hopes of developing into a goal-scoring striker. 

When Fourth-tier Calais Came Within Inches of Winning the Coupe De France

The Dutch forward is an extremely lengthy striker who is able to challenge balls in the air and be a threat to any defense on crossing opportunities. For his height, Emegha is relatively quick and uses his frame to hold up the ball before bursting past defenders. He is very good at finishing first time and placing the ball into the back of the net regardless of the service his teammates give him. Look for Emegha to have a breakout season next year and help RC Strasbourg get going offensively. 

Junior Mwanga

Joining for €10 million from Girondins de Bordeaux, Mwanga is another defensive transfer hoping to solidify a once-struggling defense before next season. He is a versatile player with the ability to play either center back or center defensive midfielder.

From Trend Buckers to Quick Buckers: The Decline of Bordeaux

Mwanga is extremely composed on the ball and is able to successfully pass and dribble out of any situation. Making a move from Ligue 2, the French defender will be challenged in the top-flight. The 20-year-old has bags of potential and will hope to help Strasbourg whether playing in defense or in the midfield. 

Dilane Bakwa

Another player joining from Bordeaux for €10m, Bakwa hopes to be a further threat to the opposition’s defenses and help Strasbourg be a threat on the attack. Manager Patrick Viera will be thrilled to have a player like Bakwa, who draws similarities to his former player Michael Olise due to the fact he is left-footed and is extremely technical.

Strasbourg Are Back Amongst the Best in the Pantheon of Ligue 1 and So Is Julien Stéphan

Bakwa is also rapid and uses this paired with his ability to quickly change directions to make defenders look silly. However, he may take some time to adjust to top-flight football after playing in the second league last year. In 36 appearances last year, the Frenchman scored and assisted 12 times. He will be hoping to improve on this record and make Strasbourg’s attack much more lethal.  

Angelo Gabriel

Joining on loan from Chelsea, Angelo is the first player from Chelsea’s rank to join RC Strasbourg which Todd Boehly now owns. At only 18 years of age, Boehly is hoping to speed up his development by guaranteeing first-team minutes in Ligue 1. Angelo is an extremely talented winger who loves to be on the ball and take players on in 1 vs 1 situations.

Angelo Gabriel: The Next Talent to Break Through Santos’ Academy?

The Brazilian winger is also extremely pacy and gifted at reading the game. He uses his game IQ to pick out a devastating pass which leaves the defense in pieces. The left-footed player has a decent shot, but this is definitely something that can be improved next year at Strasbourg. 

In addition, they have delved into the Ligue 2 market and signed 25-year-old midfielder Jessy Deminguet from Caen on a free and added 21-year-old Guinean center back Saïdou Sow for €3m from Saint-Ètienne, whilst they have also signed 18-year-old French center back Steven Baseya from Nancy’s B team.

Conclusion

This appears to only be the start of the young signings RC Strasbourg will make in the coming years. Look for Strasbourg to climb the Ligue 1 table due to the influx of cash and talent that Todd Boehly is bringing to France. It will be interesting to watch the success of RC Strasbourg in future years as they continue to get wonderkids on loan from Chelsea. This is an amazing move for both Boehly and Strasbourg as a club, look for RC Strasbourg and Chelsea to take massive steps in the upcoming seasons. 

By: Jackson Maynard / @JacksonMaynar17

Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Sebastian Frej / MB Media / Getty Images