Strasbourg president Marc Keller has firmly rejected claims that the club has become a “feeder team” for Chelsea, despite growing criticism from a vocal section of supporters who are uneasy about the BlueCo ownership model linking the two clubs.
Strasbourg have enjoyed a resurgence on the pitch, sitting fifth in Ligue 1 after finishing seventh last season to secure European football for the first time in six years. They remain one of the standout teams in this season’s Conference League and prepare to host favourites Crystal Palace on Thursday at their newly redeveloped Stade de la Meinau.
Yet their rise has been overshadowed by unrest among ultras who accuse the club of losing its identity since being purchased by BlueCo — the consortium fronted by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital — for £65m. Several recent transfers between Strasbourg and Chelsea have intensified those concerns, including Ben Chilwell’s free move, Mamadou Sarr’s £12m switch, and the revolving transfers of young talents such as Ishe Samuels-Smith, Mathis Amougou and Kendry Paez.
The most inflammatory moment came earlier this season when ultras displayed a banner calling star striker Emanuel Emegha “BlueCo’s pawn” after his transfer to Chelsea was confirmed for July 2026. Keller said the gesture “crossed the line,” insisting the club’s long-term vision is being misrepresented.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Keller dismissed the idea that Strasbourg exists to serve Chelsea’s interests.
“I don’t think we are a feeder club,” he said. “A feeder club sends four, five, six players every season. This is more of a younger brother relationship — or what you call a sister club in England. We help each other.”
Keller, who remains revered for rescuing Strasbourg in 2012 when they had collapsed to the amateur fourth tier, believes the BlueCo partnership is a natural next step in the club’s revival.
“We were already improving every year and in a strong financial position,” he said. “Now we can dream bigger. We want to be a top-six or top-seven club every season.”
Investment is visible throughout the transformed Stade de la Meinau, which is nearing completion of a £157m redevelopment that will expand capacity to 32,000. The club has also modernised its structure, investing heavily in data, medical services, scouting and player development.
Sporting director David Weir, recently hired after leaving Brighton, joins a setup designed to support one of the youngest squads in Europe — averaging just 21.5 years old, the youngest across the top five leagues. BlueCo has spent £112m assembling the side, a level of investment previously unthinkable before the takeover.
Keller insists the relationship with Chelsea helps Strasbourg attract players they could never have signed independently.
“It would have been impossible for us to have Mike Penders, Andrey Santos or Dorde Petrovic in the past,” he said. “France is a good step for young players to develop. But our project is not only to send players to Chelsea. We want to develop talent for top clubs across Europe.”
Strasbourg sold £74m worth of players this summer, including big-money moves for Dilane Bakwa and Habib Diarra, continuing their model of developing young talent for major markets.
Much of the optimism around the club centres on manager Liam Rosenior, whose progressive style has transformed Strasbourg into one of Ligue 1’s most exciting sides. Former Chelsea defender Chilwell described Rosenior as someone who will “go right to the top,” and his ability to develop young players has made him highly valued within BlueCo’s network.
Rosenior, still learning French, conducts most of his team talks in English but has quickly earned respect for his clarity and tactical intelligence.
While scepticism remains among some supporters, Keller remains confident that performances on the pitch will ultimately win people over.
“The best answer is what happens on the pitch,” he said. “Ambition must be balanced with tradition. That’s the Strasbourg way.”
As the club continues its European campaign, the debate over identity and ambition will follow — but for now, Strasbourg are determined to prove that their rise is built on more than just their connection to Chelsea.
