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By TAMARA PRENN, SENIOR SPORTS REPORTER Published: 22: 18 AEST, 2 September 2025 | Updated: 22: 18 AEST, 2 September 2025 2 View comments Chelsea have re-signed one of their former players just weeks after completing his transfer to sister club Strasbourg in a bizarre transfer move between the two Blue Co outfits. The Blues' co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital bought Chelsea via the Blue Co Consortium in 2022, and added the Ligue 1 team to their portfolio the following June. But despite Strasbourg finishing seventh in the French top division last season - which has booked them a berth in this year's UEFA Conference League - the club's acquisition by the consortium has not been wholly smooth. Fans have regularly criticised the Blue Co hierarchy and multi-club ownership model, stressing that they believe the relationship between the two sides is slanted towards benefitting Chelsea over Strasbourg. A number of players have moved between the clubs during the window, with Champions League-winning defender Ben Chilwell the latest to move to Strasbourg on loan. The England international joins summer purchase Mamadou Sarr, goalkeeper Mike Penders, and talented Ecuadorian youngster Kendry Paez on loan at the club, and permanent transfer Mathias Amougou. Strasbourg and Chelsea have been sister clubs under Blue Co's aegis for over two years Academy prospect Ishe Samuels-Smith was the subject of a bizarre deal between the two But one move was forced to reverse itself as quickly as it had taken place, with academy prospect Ishe Samuels-Smith returning to the United Kingdom 34 days after his move to France. The 19-year-old initially joined Chelsea's academy in 2023, but joined Strasbourg permanently at the end of July. Samuels-Smith was part of the squad for the club's Conference League qualifying tie against Brondby IF at home, and their opening Ligue 1 match against Metz. On transfer deadline day, Samuels-Smith's move was cancelled, with the left back returned to west London in another permanent deal. Samuels-Smith, who featured in Enzo Maresca's squad three times last season but went unused, will now spend the season on loan at Swansea City. But the strangeness of the deal may in part have something to do with the desire for Samuels-Smith to gain experience on British soil. France has stricter regulations on loan deals, whereas at Chelsea, the former Everton prospect has the opportunity to set up a temporary move to a Championship club. Equally, the arrival of Chilwell - who plays in the same position - could move Samuels-Smith down the pecking order, with a loan move perhaps viewed as crucial to his development. The decision undertaken between the two clubs is however still an unorthodox one - and the second such deal of the transfer window. Ben Chilwell is the latest Chelsea star to book a loan move to the French outfit this summer Paraguay's Julio Enciso has signed for Strasbourg but is thought to be viewed as a future Blues star by club hierarchy Paraguayan striker Julio Enciso signed a four-year deal to join Strasbourg from Brighton, but it is thought that the 21-year-old has a long-term future at Chelsea should he impress in France. Previous stars bought by Blue Co who have similarly shone in Alsace include Andrey Santos, who is believed to be in the plans of Maresca this season, and Djordje Petrovic, who has since booked a move to Bournemouth. Chelsea's multi-club ownership also came in for criticism from fans angered that Crystal Palace were penalised by UEFA and relegated from the Europa League to the Conference League due to their connection to Lyon. Critics on social media cried conspiracy after Strasbourg failed to win Champions League qualification at the last - which would have seen Chelsea relegated from Europe's top flight. Liam Rosenior's side lost late to Angers and Le Havre, on the heels of a flashy win against Paris Saint-Germain, dropping the team from third in the standings to seventh. 'Strasbourg conveniently lose two games to weak opposition to allow Chelsea entrance to the Champions League, ' one fan posted on X. 'Not dodgy at all. Nope. ' Another added: 'Needs investigation. Last match Strasbourg lost in Ligue 1 was Feb 2. 12 games without loss then suddenly lost final two games of the season to allow sister club Chelsea in the CL. ' A third posted: 'After beating PSG the best team in Europe, Strasbourg 'coincidentally' lost to relegation fodders to avoid UCL football. Chelsea have a special place in hell. ' Had Strasbourg won those matches and stayed in contention for the Champions League, Aston Villa would have replaced the west London club in the draw, as Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest stepped into Palace's spot.
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