November 30, 2019. At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea lose to West Ham (0-1). A match for which Olivier Giroud was titular, he who played 71 minutes. But after the meeting, the 33-year-old forward went through a long tunnel before catching a glimpse of the light earlier this week. After fourteen matches in all competitions without playing a single minute (two on the bench, twelve off the team), the French international (97 caps, 39 goals) came into play Monday night against Manchester United (0-2) . In about twenty minutes, the main concerned was illustrated with a goal, which was ultimately refused for an offside.
But that entry rather appealed to Frank Lampard, the Blues coach. Holder Saturday against Tottenham (his third of the season in the Premier League, editor’s note), Olivier Giroud seized his chance. Attractive in the game, the former Gunner opened the scoring for the Blues (15th) before being involved in the second, the work of Marcos Alonso (48th). Sufficient to restore her confidence after several difficult months. “Today was important to be there. The coach gave me the opportunity to show my determination and my perseverance and I tried to bring my stone to the building. There were a lot of good things, even if everything was not perfect. Of course, this goal comes as the icing on the cake for me “, explained the native of Chambéry after the meeting on Canal +.
Frank Lampard delighted for Olivier Giroud
The tricolor center-center continued: “It’s a lot of good, it’s a lot of happiness and we have the victory even if we got scared in the last five minutes. From the moment the coach gave me an opportunity, I was looking forward to it, and I had the opportunity to prove that I was ready. (…) I wanted to continue today to help the team. It was the case today, I’m the happiest man. “ If Olivier Giroud lives a radiant weekend, Frank Lampard also expressed his satisfaction. Inevitably questioned on the performance of the Frenchman at a press conference, the English technician analyzed it.
” I am happy. We have to make decisions every week. I am delighted for them (Olivier Giroud and Marcos Alonso, editor’s note) because they’re experienced guys and when they don’t play regularly it’s not easy. (…) Oli is in good shape but you can see that 70 minutes was hard for him. But what you get with Oli is quality. And you know its qualities. In a match where I expected Tottenham to play low – and that was the case in the first half – you know you can find him and he can bring the players around him. (…) It is not easy to make choices when people are not playing. You have to trust their professional qualities and both have been at the level, so I am delighted for them ”, dropped the former midfielder.
Euro 2020 in sight
A few weeks before the international break in March, during which the French team will face Ukraine (27/03) and Finland (31/03), Olivier Giroud therefore returns to the front of the stage. A performance against Tottenham which should therefore not go unnoticed even if from now on, we will have to continue. And of course, the player trained in Grenoble is targeting Euro 2020 with the Blues. “There are not even three months left before the end of the championship. The goal is there (the next Euro, note). Achieving goals with Chelsea, finishing in the first 4, why not third and me personally of course, is to play as many matches as possible, to have playing time, so that we can be ready for the Euro “, dropped Olivier Giroud on RMC Sport.
It remains to be seen whether the French striker will be summoned for the summer competition. “Olivier is an important player for us, he proves it on the field. The situation has unfortunately not changed in his favor since the last internship. He is there because I trust him and what he has done before. Obviously, he knows that for the month of March, I hope his club situation will be better. He needs playing time even though I know he needs everything he needs. Like all players, he needs more activity. “, dropped Didier Deschamps last November before the matches against Moldova (2-1, a goal by Olivier Giroud) and Albania (2-0). So all that’s left is to chain.
–
