dertien transfers in één seizoen: strasbourg kookt over chelsea-invloed
Straatsburg, donderdag, 5 februari 2026.
Dertien spelers gingen dit seizoen van RC Strasbourg naar Chelsea FC, of andersom. Die massale uitwisseling zorgt in de Elzasser club voor woede. Supporters en bestuur voelen zich steeds meer een satelliet van Stamford Bridge. De club wordt geleid door dezelfde eigenaren sinds 2023, maar de gevolgen lijken pas nu volledig te bezinken. Transferbedragen liepen op van jarenlijkse tientallen miljoenen naar ruim €100 miljoen. Speeldagen verdwenen via herhaalde huurconstructies. Er is angst voor verlies van sportieve autonomie. UEFA en FIFA monitoren de situatie al. Eerder werden andere multiclubstructuren bestraft. Voor Strasbourg staat nu de toekomst van de club op het spel.
escalating tensions in alsace
In France, specifically in the historic city of Strasbourg, frustration is mounting at RC Strasbourg over the growing influence of Chelsea FC. Since both clubs came under the joint ownership of BlueCo in 2023, the number of player transfers between them has sharply increased. This season alone, thirteen transfer dealings have taken place, sparking anger among local supporters and club officials who feel their team is being treated as a feeder club [1]. The scale of movement undermines the club’s sporting independence and raises concerns about competitive fairness in French football [2].
financial impact of blueco ownership
Under previous management, RC Strasbourg maintained modest annual transfer expenditures averaging £6.5 million annually between 2020 and 2022 [3]. After joining the BlueCo network in 2023, spending surged dramatically to £52.6 million, £53.6 million, and £96.5 million respectively over the next three seasons [3]. This represents a 939.538% increase in average outlay, far exceeding even major rivals like Paris Saint-Germain, who spent £89.2 million in summer 2025 [3]. Such escalation highlights the financial transformation brought by Chelsea’s parent company, fundamentally altering Strasbourg’s market behavior [3].
player movements raise scrutiny
Several high-profile moves illustrate the pattern of circulation between the clubs. Mamadou Sarr transferred permanently to Chelsea after one season, then returned on loan before being recalled early in February 2026 [4]. Similarly, Ishe Samuels-Smith went from Chelsea to Strasbourg in July 2025 but was withdrawn just two months later and subsequently loaned to Swansea [3]. Most recently, Aaron Anselmino was pulled from Borussia Dortmund and dispatched to Strasbourg on loan despite reported reluctance [5]. These frequent adjustments fuel perceptions of instability and manipulation [3][5].
regulatory bodies step in
UEFA and FIFA are actively monitoring the situation due to concerns over multi-club ownership (MCO) distorting fair competition. UEFA’s 2023 report warned such structures could “distort transfer activity” and enable inflated pricing favoring investors rather than reflecting true market value [3]. Precedents exist: Leon was disqualified from the 2025 Club World Cup, and Crystal Palace was demoted from the Europa League for similar violations [3]. With UEFA now viewing MCOs as a “material threat,” stricter enforcement may follow if current practices continue unchecked [3].
broader implications for european football
While Chelsea denies wrongdoing, claiming its strategy supports player development, critics argue the system creates unfair advantages [3]. Financial expert Kieran Maguire notes the setup is ripe for exploitation, stating “they will find another loophole” despite acknowledging other clubs engage in comparable practices [3]. John Textor, Botafogo’s owner, observes how powerful owners increasingly shape cross-league transfers behind closed doors [3]. As regulatory pressure builds, the future of partnerships like Chelsea-Strasbourg may depend on new frameworks governing multi-club networks in Europe [3].