Oliver Giroud was not a fan favorite signing but his four-year job at Chelsea football club is highly appreciable. He has been a strong leader, an inspiration to the young talents taking shape at Stamford bridge. It is not every day that you get to share a dressing room with a world cup winner.
Four years after his stay at Stamford Bridge, Oliver Giroud at the age of 34 is still an integral part of this Chelsea club. Although he only scored 39 goals from 109 appearances, some of them were season-defining efforts.
The leadership and work ethics of the Frenchman has never been questioned by his managers he’s had at Chelsea (Antonio Conte, Maurizio Sarri, Frank Lampard, and now Thomas Tuchel). Tuchel earlier came out to applaud the French international.
“Right now he plays a key role in the squad where we have a lot of young offensive players, so he is a key figure.
“Not because he plays every three days for 96 minutes but with the way he behaves, his experience on a daily basis so far, the last three days he has been in the most positive way that we can wish and this is what I like.”
Giroud was called into action against Newcastle last weekend when Tammy Abraham picked up an injury and scored a goal that marked his 21st goal as a substitute, just behind Jermain Defoe (24) in the Premier League history.
“No decisions made because it’s too soon to make them this season. I don’t have enough time because I only started three weeks ago and I need time to get to know the group better while everybody also deserves more time to show what they can do” he said.
Tuchel also added that “What I can say about it is that I am super happy he is here, he is one of the top stickers in the box, he has an incredible first touch when takes balls directly out of the air and is very strong, with headers too. He did an amazing game against Newcastle, he is very strong in training and very impressive.”
Giroud has had a fair share of transfer fiasco, with his contract situation not disclosed to the public. At this point, no one is concerned about his transfer as Chelsea fans are eying for an improvement of young strikers like Timo Werner and Tammy Abraham. But one or two years of an extended contract would only do good for the club
“I am very clear and from there we go and when decisions arrive, we will make it but as I said, it’s too soon.”
-Thomas Tuchel
