Chelsea have welcomed back a former player shortly after he had been transferred to their sister club Strasbourg, marking a peculiar transaction between the two BlueCo franchises.

The Blues, under the joint leadership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, acquired Chelsea through the BlueCo Consortium in 2022 and subsequently added the Ligue 1 team to their holdings the following June.

Despite Strasbourg’s remarkable seventh-place finish in France’s top division last season, which earned them a spot in this year’s UEFA Conference League, the club’s transition under the consortium hasn’t been entirely seamless.

Several players have transferred between the clubs during the transfer window, with Ben Chilwell, a Champions League-winning defender, being the latest to join Strasbourg on loan.

The England national team member is accompanied by other summer signings like Mamadou Sarr, goalkeeper Mike Penders, and promising Ecuadorian youth Kendry Paez, alongside Mathias Amougou, who joined on a permanent basis.

However, one transaction was quickly undone when academy talent Ishe Samuels-Smith returned to the UK just 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 returning 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. 

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 BlueCo 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.