Chelsea were absolutely phenomenal in their 4-0 win over Everton in the Premier League. A player, who has been heaped a lot of praise by the Premier League all-time leading scorer Alan Shearer for his display against the Toffees, was Blues’ striker Olivier Giroud. The striker had been in and out of the team under Frank Lampard. Despite that, he had made his presence felt against the Merseyside outfit.
The veteran Frenchman led the line in the absence of injured Tammy Abraham and did more than a commendable job and Shearer had nothing but praise for the former Arsenal forward.
Giroud had a solid game against the Toffees as he bagged his second goal of the campaign that has been a difficult one for him.
The Frenchman scored a fourth of the game in the rout. He tapped in from close range from a corner taken by Chelsea number ten Willian.
He also played a part in setting up multiple chances for the Blues and once again showed why he is much beyond just a centre-forward.
Giroud’s linkup play and holdup play has always been praise-worthy and he once again proved why he is still an asset even at the dusk of his career. The 33-year-old played the game as the sole number nine but constantly tracked back and came deep to collect the ball.
What Alan Shearer Said?
Speaking on Match of the Day, Shearer was full of praise for the veteran-Frenchman, claiming that the World Cup winner “bullied” Everton’s two centre-backs. Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton could never really get a grip of the game as a youthful Chelsea side dominated them. Everton defenders Mason Holgate and Michael Keane both had poor games.
“He led the line superbly well,” Shearer said. “He bullied the two centre-halves in Holgate and Keane. They never got near him at all. It helps when they stand four or five yards off you, which was a constant all afternoon.”
“His link-up play gave his team fantastic options, bringing other players into the game when they were feeding that ball into him. He was too strong for both centre-halves. He gave those two defenders a torrid time. Absolutely fantastic, he led the line with such aggression, he was superb.”
What Does The Future Now Hold For Giroud?
The World Cup winner is keen on ensuring his participation in the Euros next year. Due to this, he is keen on having regular game time in west London. However, it seems that Lampard will not be able to offer him the same.
This has been the main reason why he is looking for a potential exit from Stamford Bridge. With that being said, there have been a host of offers for his offers already. It is just a matter of time that he eventually decides where his future lies. It could either be in England or abroad.
Clubs like Crystal Palace and Inter Milan have already been linked with him. It will be interesting to see which club Giroud chooses now as his next destination. He has already won a lot of accolades in recent times. He will now be focused on the national side.