1 week ago
12
Next elite striker?
©TM/IMAGO
Traditionally centre-forwards are a dying breed in modern football but Joaquín Panichelli has emerged as a refreshing throwback. The towering striker has enjoyed an outstanding start to life at Strasbourg to attract interest from Europe’s biggest clubs. After a recent 3-3 thriller with PSG, Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior described Panichelli’s display as ‘one of the best centre-forward performances’ he’d seen and he’s been a revelation in Ligue 1.
The 22-year-old was a relatively unknown quality when he joined Strasbourg for €16.5 million from Alavés in the summer but he’s been one of the breakthrough stars of the 2025/26 season, so far. Panichelli is the top goalscorer in Ligue 1 with nine goals in 12 appearances and he earned his maiden Argentina call-up this month. He’s expected to make his international debut this month and we’ve examined one of the most exciting strikers in Europe, with expert insight from Transfermarkt’s French team.
Who is Joaquín Panichelli?
Born in Cordoba, Panichelli progressed through the youth ranks of Racing de Cordoba and Belgrano before being scouted by giants River Plate - he also had an unsuccessful trial at their Buenos Aires rivals Boca Juniors. Unfortunately, Panichelli never broke into the first team at River and moved to the Spanish second division side Alavés on a free transfer in 2023. Injuries disrupted his time at Alavés but he truly made his move during a loan spell at Mirandés last season. Panichelli netted 20 goals in LaLiga2 as Mirandés narrowly missed out on promotion in the play-offs but he earned his big move to Strasbourg.
On his move to France, Joachim Durand, Transfermarkt’s Ligue 1 expert, explains: “When he signed, Panichelli raised a lot of expectations but also questions. The expectations were because he was Strasbourg's most expensive summer signing and had scored 20 goals last season. But question marks lingered because he joined from Spanish second division, but more due to the presence of Emmanuel Emegha - who scored 14 goals last season. In the end, he has played alongside Emegha, when the Dutch striker is fit, and he’s filled in for him, when injured. But he has done even more than that as he’s carved out a starting place in Rosenior’s constantly changing system.”
As the graphic above illustrates, Panichelli’s nine Ligue goals ranks him fourth amongst the top goalscorers in Europe’s top five leagues. Only Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé have scored more league goals with the Strasbourg starlet’s numbers amongst the most prolific strikers in the world. At 6ft 3inches, Panichelli’s all-round game stands out but his physicality and finishing ability catch the eye. “Paniquelli is a pure number nine,” added Durand. “His main qualities are his finishing, positioning and heading ability. He is also very involved in defensive work, particularly pressing.”
Top European clubs eye Joaquín Panichelli
Naturally, Panichelli is attracting interest from major European clubs and there’s also the unavoidable Chelsea factor. BlueCo own both clubs and players move freely between the sister club and the English Premier League giants. He will obviously come under consideration for a ‘promotion’ to Chelsea but his strike partner Emegha will already move to Stamford Bridge next summer.
Panichelli’s market value increased by €12m in the latest Ligue 1 update but realistically it will take an offer substantially higher than that figure for Strasbourg to sanction a sale. Interested parties will also want to see if he can maintain his excellent form across the rest of the season. But AC Milan and Barcelona have both been linked by reputable sources in recent weeks and Panichelli is a player to keep a close eye on, especially given his profile.
