The Blues striker Olivier Giroud has insisted that he will not be content with playing just a bit-part role for Chelsea football club. Stating this, the Frenchman has put his club future with Chelsea in jeopardy and hinting that he could leave if he does not receive regular football.
Since Maurizio Sarri has become head coach of Chelsea football club back in the summer of 2018, he has done quite an impressive job by replacing fellow Italian compatriot Antonio Conte. The 60-year-old former Napoli master tactician has received plenty of plaudits and praise for the attractive and effective brand of football he has instilled into the club. Chelsea reached the quarter finals of the League Cup but eventually lost the final to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on penalties. The West London club also made it to the quarter finals of the Europa League and has a great chance at winning the tournament. But recent dip in form in the Premier League meant that Chelsea slipped up to sixth place on the table and are currently in an uphill battle to finish in the top four.
One player who has really been delivering for Chelsea on the continental stage is French striker Olivier Giroud. The world Cup winning forward was crucial for France even though he did not manage a goal in the whole tournament in the summer. But his form for Chelsea in the Europa League has been incredible as he has netted nine times in as many appearances in the competition. His hat-trick against Dynamo Kiev last week allowed Chelsea to progress through to the quarter finals of the competition but Giroud still finds himself restricted to the bench.
In 20 Premier League appearances Giroud has made this season, 14 of them have come as a substitute. The 32-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge last winter transfer window from local neighbors Arsenal and he already helped the Blues win the FA Cup last season. However, Giroud’s contract with Chelsea expires in the summer and he is yet to decide whether he will remain at West London or not.
When asked whether he would be happy as a bit-part player for Chelsea, Giroud said, “No. No chance. I am a competitor. I am 32 but I am still young. I feel very well physically. When I do the tests on the treadmill I have to say that I have one of the best tests (at Chelsea). I have the motivation to carry on. Some of the boys asked me why I did not retire with the national team after the World Cup. But I am still hungry and I know how much I will miss football after my career. I want more and more. I think I have a few nice years in front of me.”
Giroud went on to explain that he cannot really tell whether he will remain a Chelsea player next season, “I have been through a lot of tough moments in my career. I just want to enjoy playing football after winning the World Cup last summer. I want to play every single game and to be happy on the pitch. But I am not picking the team, the manager makes some choices. I play in the Europa League and I am happy to help the team to go through the stages, step by step. The target is clearly to win it. The (Premier League) is another thing, you know? Now we do not know about the future – who can say? We will see.”
Well, the striker has been an asset to Sarri at times right through this term and can still be handy in the years to come, if he is assured of a serious role in west London and is part of the manager’s long-term plans. He is possibly looking to win more titles at the twilight of his career and will possibly want to defend the World Cup title in 2022 as well, when the occasion arises and if he is selected for the national team yet again like he was in 2018.
It will not be an easy task for him to get selected for the national team this time though, ahead of Alexandre Lacazette who has been in fine form himself. Despite that, he will want to try his best to try and make it to the final team, if he can stay fit till then and can keep going strong.
Also, how Chelsea now finish the current season, could have an impact in the decision for his future in the long-run too. He wishes to play at the top level for as long as possible, though he should be part of the first-team plans at least for some of the competitions. Isn’t that what all players want?
They have Gonzalo Higuain amongst their ranks at present on loan from Serie A champions Juventus, who might be leaving the English club at the end of the current term if the Blues do not extend his stay at the club. It will be a tough call to take for the club officials and management, as the Argentine international is also not young anymore and has failed to make a serious impact in England. However, he is the kind of player that can play Sarri’s game and the Italian manager wants him in his squad, so if Sarri stays, Higuain might remain at Stamford Bridge as well.
This would mean that there may not be too many serious opportunities for Giroud to play and leave his mark, in the seasons to come with the Londoners. It is the main reason why he wants things to be sorted out and confirmed between him and the club.
The transfer ban is also something that could play a major role in shaping his future and things could get really interesting in west London, depending on how things shape up now. Let’s wait and watch what decision the club’s management and the Frenchman finally takes with regards to his future.
