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Strasbourg star CONFIRMS Chelsea dream: I want to be like Giroud!
Tom Weber
- Updated: 17 Dec 2025 16:26 GMT
- 4 min read
News
Strasbourg striker Joaquin Panichelli has revealed his admiration for former Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud amid reports that he could become the Blues' next No.9.
The Argentine enjoyed a red-hot start to his career in France, scoring nine goals in his first 10 Ligue 1 appearances for Strasbourg after joining for a sizeable €17 million in the summer.
This sensational output gave rise to rumours that Panichelli has been earmarked as a potential future star for sister club Chelsea, and that the Blues perhaps signed the wrong Strasbourg striker in Emmanuel Emegha, who will join next summer.
Current ETV
Joaquín Panichelli
F (C)
Strasbourg
Joaquín Panichelli
F (C)
Strasbourg
ETV Range
€13.7M - €16.8M
However, the goals have since dried up for Panichelli, and it has led to a significant dip in form from Liam Rosenior's side. The 23-year-old hasn't found the back of the net in over a month, while Strasbourg have only won one of their previous six Ligue 1 games.
This recently saw the usually upbeat Rosenior tear into his players, including Chelsea loanee Kendry Paez, and the mood in Alsace seems to have soured considerably after a brilliant start to the season.
Panichelli reveals Giroud admiration
Nevertheless, Panichelli remains a player to watch, given the significant potential he showed in the early stages of the campaign. Speaking to UEFA, the Argentine has now revealed that he used to grow up idolising former Chelsea and Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud.
“I have always said that I really like Giroud," Panichelli explained. "I have often said that I watched him a lot with the France national team and I followed him closely when he was in England with Arsenal, too.
"I saw myself in him. I always saw in Giroud a centre-forward with a big presence in the box, capable of also bringing something on a technical level, too.
"He wasn’t just a goalscorer. When he came deep, he helped the play, too. He has always been one of my main role models, as well as Karim Benzema and now Harry Kane.”
Giroud made a sensational return to Ligue 1 in the summer by joining Lille from MLS franchise LAFC, which allowed Panichelli to swap shirts with his idol in early November.
“It was incredible because, as I said, he is a role model for me, someone that I admired. To be able to exchange shirts, from No.9 to No.9, was really special."
If he can rediscover his goalscoring form, Panichelli could perhaps look to emulate Giroud at Stamford Bridge in the not-too-distant future. Chelsea could certainly do with a prolific No.9.
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