Football Daily | Are Strasbourg A Sister Club To Chelsea Or Just Their Storage Facility?

SEE YOU IN STRASBOURG

Strasbourg, charismatic spot of nan European parliament, nan jewel of nan Alsace region connected nan westbound slope of nan Rhine. Important historically, geographically and politically. One of nan city’s astir celebrated sons, Arsène Wenger, arsenic a boy, was truthful embedded that his first connection was Low Alemannic German, not French. To usage a connection Wenger brought to nan English shot vernacular – footballistically – Strasbourg was ne'er excessively overmuch of a hub. The nine reformed aft liquidation arsenic precocious arsenic 2011, having won conscionable 1 French title backmost successful 1979 erstwhile Wenger was a fringe subordinate already embedded successful coaching. In defence was nan early France coach Raymond Domenech, nan keen astrologist successful charge erstwhile a very Gallic bust-up ravaged Les Bleus astatine nan 2010 World Cup.

Until now, though it is much correct to opportunity Strasbourg has go a shot trading hub. As nan summertime transportation model SLAMMED SHUT connected Monday, Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace became a alternatively regular destination. In 2023, RC fell into nan hands of BlueCo. Name familiar? The aforesaid US-based institution had bought Chelsea from a sanctioned Roman Abramovich nan erstwhile year, opening 1 of those multi-club arrangements causing untold problem this summer. Like Girona pinch Manchester City, location is thing of a acquainted look to Strasbourg’s squad, beautiful ample for a nine successful nan Conference League.

Within nan squad are Kendry Páez, an Ecuadorian teenager; Mamadou Sarr, French defender; Mike Penders, Belgian keeper. All are young players loaned by Chelsea. Diego Moreira, a young Belgian wing-back, signed from Chelsea past year. Mathis Amougou, a young French midfielder signed from Chelsea this summer. Ishé Samuels-Smith, a young English defender signed from Chelsea successful nan summer, has joined Swansea connected loan, On Monday, Ben Chilwell, a not-so young English full-back, arrived from Chelsea for a two-year deal. Raheem Sterling is presumed to person refused to go a Eurostar loyalty paper member.

Thus, RC person go a repository for talent either excessively young aliases not bully capable to play for Chelsea. Fans of nan existent shot club, alternatively than a warehousing facility, are unhappy and protesting. Until BlueCo swanned in, RC had enjoyed a fan-centric civilization nether nan erstwhile West Ham subordinate Marc Keller, main executive since 2001 and a section leader who took nan nine from 4th tier to Ligue 1. After trading to BlueCo, Keller is now portrayed among immoderate militant fans arsenic nan traitor to nan collective. Last play saw goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic and winger Andrey Santos travel to Strasbourg and spell backmost to Chelsea. Similar postulation has followed, footballers reimagined arsenic commodities bought and sold for illustration pork bellies and stiff orangish juice. Modern shot is rubbish.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

We’re each captivated by nan travel of Wrexham. It’s been astonishing for Welsh shot and hopefully now successful a number of years we’ll spot young players coming done … There isn’t similarities to really I play to really Wrexham play. It’s different ways, nary correct aliases incorrect measurement for this” – Craig Bellamy, nan Wales manager, praises Wrexham’s emergence nether nan co-ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Despite his newfound diplomacy, let’s presume nan erstwhile Cardiff guardant isn’t wholly sold connected a style of play focused connected 6ft 5in striker Kieffer Moore.

Craig Bellamy: inspired by Wrexham, if not by their football. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA

I person ever been puzzled by nan content-less header astatine nan extremity of your teatime emails. But yesterday’s ‘We should person sat successful a car park’ rubbed brackish into a wound. My woman and I sat successful nan Select Car Leasing Stadium car parkland connected Saturday awaiting rescue of our stricken conveyance by nan AA. Except for a ripple of applause successful nan 66th infinitesimal we could person heard a pin drop, suggesting your sentiment was spot connected for nan different 12,624 who went to watch Reading 1-0 Port Vale” – Alan Giles.

Whatever Football Daily goes connected to achieve, it will ever beryllium remembered for ‘even nan stadia are successful tiers’ [yesterday’s Daily] – Rich Johnson.

Just earlier nan transportation model closed, Charlton fans were delighted to study that James Bree was joining connected indebtedness from Southampton. Many deliberation that he compares favourably pinch Ben White of Arsenal. Personally, I deliberation they’re chalk and cheese” – Phil Hearn.

I americium definite I will beryllium 1 of 1,057 to constituent retired that Mr Clough was intelligibly waving a badminton, not a squash, racket astir [the jury’s out – FD Ed] … I presume you oversight is because you, for illustration everyone other successful this country, person been inculcated into nan Padel Cult?” – Patrick Brennan (and 1,056 others).

In this window’s title for slightest enthusiastic caller signee, nan prize must surely spell to Piero Hincapié, seemingly ambushed astatine nighttime extracurricular someone’s garage and made to activity an unwieldy tifo flag” – Charles Antaki.

If you person any, please nonstop letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s victor of our prizeless missive o’ nan time is … Alan Giles. Terms and conditions for our competitions, erstwhile we tally them, tin beryllium viewed here. 

RECOMMENDED BOOKING

On Thursday 11 September, subordinate Max Rushden, Barry Glendenning and Football Weekly favourites Jonathan Wilson, Nicky Bandini and Jonathan Liew for an evening of unfiltered shot punditry astatine Troxy successful London. The pod will besides beryllium livestreamed globally. Book now. 

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David Squires, animation and barroom specialist, focuses connected VAR this week aft yet much decision-making chaos successful nan Premier League.

Marco Silva and Howard Webb settee their differences. Illustration: David Squires/The Guardian

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