The Strasbourg nightmare could continue. After losing Emanuel Emegha, sold to Chelsea for an effective transfer next summer, Racing Club de Strasbourg is preparing to lose its top scorer of the season. Joaquín Panichelli, author of a sensational start to the season with eight goals in nine Ligue 1 games, finds himself in the sights of Chelsea and AC Milan. According to SportsBoom, the Blues, who have already plundered Strasbourg with Emegha, plan to do it again in the winter transfer window. The London club’s emissaries have traveled to France in recent weeks to observe the Argentinian up close. And AC Milan is also preparing an offensive in January.
BlueCo strikes again: Panichelli, Chelsea’s next target
Joaquín Panichelli is the revelation of Ligue 1. Arriving this summer in Strasbourg, the 23-year-old striker took advantage of Emanuel Emegha’s injury to establish himself as a starter. Eight goals in nine games, top scorer in the championship. A lightning adaptation that has not gone unnoticed. Liam Rosenior, the Strasbourg coach, praised him after his double against PSG in early October: “The performance was one of the best from a centre-forward I have seen live. He maximizes his potential in training every day. He has an incredible mentality and he brings a winning mentality to this group. »
Chelsea does not intend to stop at Emegha. The London club, owner of Strasbourg via the BlueCo timeshare, no longer hesitates to draw from the Alsatian breeding ground. The Blues have already signed several players under the BlueCo banner rather than directly for Chelsea, a strategy which allows certain rules to be circumvented. Scouts at Stamford Bridge have attended several of Panichelli’s matches to assess whether he could fit into Enzo Maresca’s system in the Premier League. But AC Milan complicates the matter. The Italian club is desperately looking for a striker after the difficulties of Santi Giménez, silent in nine league games this season. Panichelli is on a list of five names at the San Siro.
The fans will explode
The news risks setting fire to the stands at the Stade de la Meinau. Strasbourg fans had already expressed their anger after the signing of Emanuel Emegha for a transfer to Chelsea next summer. Seeing their top scorer leave in the middle of the season, plundered by the timeshare club, would be seen as a betrayal. Chelsea continues to empty Strasbourg of its best elements. And this time, it could turn into a real war with management. Alsatian supporters will not understand that such an encouraging season is being sacrificed to satisfy London’s ambitions.
The Racing Club de Strasbourg has had an excellent start to the season. But this potential departure of Panichelli in January could change everything. Chelsea and AC Milan are on the lookout. If Strasbourg gives in, the supporters’ revolt will be inevitable. The Alsatian club finds itself trapped in its multi-ownership, unable to retain its most promising talents. Panichelli probably won’t be in Strasbourg for very long. And it could go very badly.
