Chelsea’s strong ties to Strasbourg have seen both clubs benefit as a result of transfer business, however the Blues tend to get the pick of the bunch of talented players.
They have already secured the services of Emanuel Emegha from next season, and reports have linked Chelsea to signing Joaquin Panichelli too.
The 23-year-old has scored 13 goals already this season, and has experience working under Liam Rosenior from his time at the Ligue 1 side.
Young attackers frequently admire some of the current greats when it comes to strikers. Even Cole Palmer admitted he looks up to Erling Haaland.
RC Strasbourg Alsace v AS Monaco - French Cup 2025/2026
Photo by Sathire Kelpa/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Joaquin Panichelli says he based his game off Olivier Giroud
Panichelli however has stated it is Olivier Giroud who he admires most, telling beIN Sports that he sees a lot of himself in the former Chelsea man.
He said: “Yes, look, I always say he was one of the players I admired most, especially when he was at Arsenal. Maybe apart from what Benzema was, for example, or what Haaland is today — but when I was 14, 15, 16, I watched him a lot because I saw myself as similar to him physically and technically.
“He could finish with his left foot, with his right, with his head, with a backheel — with whatever — but they were goals, and that’s what I really liked about him.”
Giroud has gone down as a bit of a cult hero in Chelsea’s history after joining the club for £18m (Sky Sports). He scored a number of key goals for them during their run to winning the 2021 Champions League.
Olivier Giroud for Chelsea against Arsenal
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Chelsea’s interest in Panichelli despite Strasbourg frustration
It was Enzo Maresca who was reportedly a big fan of Panichelli originally, however that interest will almost certainly remain from Rosenior.
The interest comes despite many sections of Strasbourg supporters beginning to get seriously annoyed with how BlueCo are using the Ligue 1 club as a feeder system to Chelsea.
The Emegha deal has helped cause protests from supporters who have been against their owners since day one.
A deal for Panichelli would only further risk those relations, however it has to be said that Chelsea are getting the better side of the deal right now.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox