Chelsea has considerably strengthened the attacking options in this summer transfer window. The Stamford Bridge has welcomed Timo Werner from RB Leipzig and Hakim Ziyech from Ajax while Kai Havertz’s arrival is just a matter of time.
These high-voltage arrivals of talented youngsters have certainly put Olivier Giroud down in the pecking order. The French International will turn 34 this month and will have fierce competition in order to get minutes on the pitch.
But this always has been the situation with him and has performed whenever the opportunity is given to him.
“Olivier Giroud is a very tough cookie and he will not worry too much about the arrival of Timo Werner at Chelsea,” Saha said on the Football Index Podcast. “Giroud wants to score and he wants to help his teammates. He is a competitor and wherever he is, he will always perform.”
“Olivier Giroud will rise to the challenge of competing with Timo Werner for a place in the Chelsea team.”
Like as always, he fell down the pecking order when Lampard was fond of the youngster Tammy Abraham last season. It felt like Olivier would certainly leave Chelsea but he didn’t.
The first choice striker got injured which gave Giroud a chance to get minutes. It was the game against Spurs where he scored. His impressive action along with an effort that saw a narrow goal miss against Liverpool earned more minutes for the next match.
It was the last game before lockdown where he netted a goal to cement his position as the first-choice striker of the Blues.
Chelsea’s final 12 Premier League games of the last season saw him netting eight times. His lethal form in FA Cup semis along with his fantastic display in the opposition penalty area won huge appreciation from Lampard.
“Giroud is very motivated and I’m sure that next year we will hear from him again,” said one Chelsea official.
Pulisic & Giroud in the PL..
Pulisic: 18 points won. 9 goals. 4 assists.
Giroud: 21 points won. 8 goals. A goal every 125 minutesWithout these two, Chelsea wouldn't of got Champions League football this season.. 🇺🇸💙🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/uh5GUZfMUz
— Conn (@ConnCFC) August 30, 2020
Giroud certainly has been the most underrated striker in the Premier League. His consistency and knack in scoring goals throughout his career should be talked more. In each of his last 13 seasons, he has hit double figures in all competitions.
As a Chelsea striker, he has made 88 appearances(many have been short cameo spell), out of which has scored 28 goals in total.
The day Olivier Giroud turned into Messi 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Aw4QwvFBqK
— Lyndio Sport (@LyndioSport) August 28, 2020
Whenever he is called, he delivers and former PL player Louis Saha urges the fans to give more respect to his fellow French striker.
“I think he is very underrated.”
“He was criticized when he arrived at Arsenal because people would compare him to stylish players like Thierry Henry or Dennis Bergkamp. But he’s a different player and he scores goals for every club he plays for,” Saha said.
Frank Lampard praised Giroud’s professionalism amidst the transfer situation that surrounded him in January. His link-up with his fellow attackers has got better with every game. The decision of staying has been a blessing in disguise for Chelsea as his fine form helped the team in later stages.
The French International extended his contract extension by one year and Chelsea fans will indeed expect better things to come from the Frenchman in the upcoming season.
Nevertheless, Giroud has been great for Chelsea and his efforts should be well appreciated by the fans of Chelsea.
