Chelsea to cause more controversy as Liam Rosenior 'requests' Strasbourg transfer

Tom Weber

• 9 Jan 2026 14:05 CST
• 3 min read

News

New Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior wants to sign Strasbourg midfielder Valentin Barco, according to a report.

The 41-year-old has replaced Enzo Maresca in the dugout at Stamford Bridge after leaving BlueCo sister club Strasbourg. Rosenior's departure was controversial, to say the least, and left a sour taste as far as the Alsatians are concerned.

Ever since the BlueCo takeover in 2023, Strasbourg's hardcore fan groups have protested against the ownership. In their eyes, Rosenior's exit was the latest "humiliation" in the club's "subservient" relationship with Chelsea.

It came just months after captain Emmanuel Emegha announced his move to West London, which will take place next summer, and sparked a similarly vociferous reaction. Long-time president Marc Keller has once again been urged to resign by supporters.

Speaking at Gary O'Neil's unveiling as the new head coach on Wednesday, Keller admitted that he is frustrated with the circumstances surrounding Rosenior's departure and that he attempted to convince him to stay.

Chelsea to upset Strasbourg fans some more?

Now, DSport reports that Chelsea and Rosenior could soon antagonise Strasbourg supporters some more. The outlet claims that the new Blues boss has requested that Valentin Barco be signed.

The Argentine joined Strasbourg from Brighton for €10 million in the summer, off the back of an initial loan, and he has massively impressed so far this season.

Rosenior converted Barco from a left-back into a full-time midfielder, which proved to be a masterstroke for a player who had previously struggled to come to grips with the European game following his move from Boca Juniors to Brighton in 2024.

Barco has contributed a goal and six assists this term, and the report claims that there is a "good chance" of seeing him at Stamford Bridge sooner rather than later.

He would be the third Strasbourg player to be signed by Chelsea since the takeover, after the aforementioned Emegha and defender Mamadou Sarr.

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