No Panichelli, No Problem?

With the leading scorer in Ligue 1 McDonald's, Joaquín Panichelli, having suffered a season-ending knee injury, RC Strasbourg will have to look for alternatives in attack -- here's a closer look at some of Gary O'Neil's options.

The revenant: Emmanuel Emegha

The Dutchman, so impressive last season but bedeviled by injury in the current campaign, is hardly popular with the club's fans after announcing a move to Chelsea, but it's hard to deny his effectiveness when fit, as evidenced by his impressive performances in vital matches against the likes of Crystal Palace, Brøndby and Lille. His fitness will remain a concern, and well some may have doubts about him wanting to risk further injury ahead of his impending move, there's also the chance that reclaiming a spot with the Oranje for this summer's World Cup could be an important motivation.

Emegha made his NT debut 🇳🇱😍 pic.twitter.com/hp5jqzkm81
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) November 17, 2025

Something to prove: David Datro Fofana

The Ivorian, who joined on loan from Chelsea in the winter window, has featured sparingly as he works his way back to full fitness, and while he is a long way from replacing the workrate and goal of Panichelli, his previous spell on loan, in the first half of the season with Turkish side Fatih Karagümrük was impressive as he netted eight times in 15 matches. Still only 23, he could yet join the likes of Valentín Barco and Diego Moreira as players who have shaken off the middling reputations at previous stops to become complete players of a high standard, while offering a physical presence if not the same goalscoring panache as Panichelli.

David Datro Fofana debut. ✅

First goal. 🔜🇨🇮
pic.twitter.com/DLKNbREP4Q
— Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace English (@RCSA_English) February 7, 2026

A different LOOK: Julio Enciso

Finally, could O'Neil plump for a different sort of profile altogether? Julio Enciso has been most effective playing as a number ten, but he has found the net nine times this season -- only Panichelli and winger Martial Godo have scored more goals. While he would lack the physical profile necessary to bully the central defenders of Ligue 1 McDonald's, his quality on the ball and ability to interchange with the likes of Godo, Diego Moreira and Samuel Amo-Ameyaw make this an intriguing possibility, especially with those wingers' pace and ability to stretch play.