Chelsea: Strasbourg president says they are ‘not Chelsea’s feeder club’

Keller, who led the consortium that bought Strasbourg for one euro in 2012, helped revive the club, which was playing in the amateur fourth division, after financial collapse.

They returned to Ligue 1 within five years, and are now competing on the European stage – two years after entering into a partnership with Chelsea.

“Discussions with Behdad Eghbali and Todd Buhli revolved around how to create a smart, multi-club model from the start, while using more financial muscle,” Keller said.

“We have improved every year and were in a strong financial position before the takeover, but with new partners we can dream a little bigger and think about getting into the top six or seven to qualify for Europe every year.”

And at La Menau Stadium, BlueCo’s investment is evident, as cranes complete the expansion of the stadium from 26,000 to 32,000 seats – the final touches to a £157m redevelopment.

Walking around the modern stadium, there is incredible attention to detail, including memorials to every male and female player who has worn the blue jersey.

“A good balance is ambition but tradition,” Keller said.

“We are investing a lot to create an organization around the team to help players reach a higher level. This is in personnel, data, physiotherapy, player care and scouting networks.”

Sporting director David Weir was appointed last month, after leaving Brighton.

But, as at Chelsea, the Strasbourg side had already been transformed by BlueCo – with £112m spent on building the youngest squad – with an average age of just 21.5 years – in the top five leagues. Chelsea ranks fourth behind its partner club, in addition to Paris Saint-Germain and Parma.

Chelsea midfielder Andre Santos was the first to benefit from the move between the two clubs, spending 18 months on loan at Strasbourg and says he still watches their matches and texts manager Liam Rosenior.

“We are trying to work well with the Chelsea coaching staff to get good players for Strasbourg,” says Keller. “It would have been impossible for us to have Mike Penders, Andre Santos or Petrovic in the past, so that’s a positive.

“Strasbourg and France are a good step for developing young players, and this BlueCo project is about building quality.

“We are investing a lot in a young generation. It is possible that one player a year is good enough for Chelsea. But our project is to have other players in the big clubs in Europe, not just Chelsea. It is not true to say that they are coming to go to Chelsea.”

“They come to Strasbourg because of ambition.”

Strasbourg sold £74m worth of players in the summer, including Dylan Bakwa to Nottingham Forest and former captain Habib Diarra to Sunderland, both for around £30m.