Chelsea striker Giroud considers options abroad: “The ideal would be a different culture”

Olivier Giroud and his agent Michael Manuello again bring themselves into position for a move away from Chelsea – including criticism of head coach Frank Lampard. Although they also understand the Blues boss, France’s national team coach Didier Deschamps recently put pressure on the team as well to solve the striker’s hopeless situation in view of the approaching European Championship.

Giroud’s situation at Chelsea in recent years is quickly summarised: He has played too little to be satisfied. His desire to move on has been the topic of discussions again and again. Against his hope, a transfer could not be completed last winter, however, also because Chelsea still struggled with the effects of the transfer ban in the preceding summer. Giroud temporarily found his motivation again but he did not feature regularly for a long time.

Giroud in top 10 The most valuable players aged 34 or older Click here for overview And yet the situation differs significantly from last year, as consultant Manuello now told Footmercato, because Chelsea cannot extend the Frenchman’s contract through an option this time, which prevented a move in the previous transfer window. This time, Giroud’s agent is additionally disappointed, as his protégé was able to clearly show his class at the end of last season: In the last 13 matches of the season, the experienced forward was allowed to play more regularly and scored eight goals.

Giroud’s agent to Lampard: “Putting Abraham in front of him was not fair”

In view of the strong finish to the season after a campaign in which Giroud had previously played a subordinate role, consultant Manuello also criticised Chelsea head coach Lampard. “Putting Tammy Abraham in front of him is not necessarily fair compared to what Olivier has achieved at the end of the season. But he has every right to do it, it’s his decision,” the agent said. Chelsea’s up-and-coming youngster Abraham has already made four appearances in the starting XI despite the club having invested a lot in attacking players during the summer. Giroud only came on from the bench.

“So, if things continue in this direction,” Manuello continued, then they would be at the same point they were in December 2019. Then Giroud would look for alternatives. Although the agent emphasised: “We can’t just look back on the last two months and have amnesia with the three before that.” During this time there had also been hopeful moments for Giroud.

As a result, Giroud is not completely opposed to a future at Stamford Bridge. “He also knows that at 34 years of age he can’t play 55 games per season. Physically, that is not possible. He’s a bit disappointed, but he’s always ready for the team.”

Giroud wants to have fun: “He's not just looking for playing time"

As for the options for the future, Manuello assured that Giroud is no longer looking for a role as an undisputed starter. “Today he’s not only looking for playing time, but also for fun, quality of life and thrills. So, if he can ever discover something new, he will choose something new, it will be more important for him to live. (...) The ideal would rather be that he discovers a different culture, gets a different view.”

Giroud could find such a different culture in Italy, where he has never played before. An interest of Inter Milan, for example, is being discussed. But Giroud also does not want to close the door to strong English clubs. “So, if a really good Premier League club were among the interested parties, that could also carry weight.”

Meanwhile, there is no personal problem with Chelsea head coach Lampard, as Manuello states. They feel sympathetic towards him. “He can now build a team that could become champions in a year or two. And Olivier can’t be part of that. Even if Olivier can perform well today, (Lampard) is obliged to use the players who will be at the top in one, two or three years. We regret it, but we fully understand it.”

Chelsea striker Giroud: France coach Deschamps suggests transfer

Recently, on top of everything else, national team coach Deschamps had put pressure on the team. Giroud would have to find a new club sooner or later if Chelsea do not use him – if he at least wants to be part of the French European Championship squad this summer.

“Olivier’s situation at the club must change. He’s a very great player and needs rhythm. Before March, he has to be in a different situation than he is now,’ Deschamps had said about the 2018 World Cup winner after a win in the Nations League against Portugal.