Harry Diamond
Chelsea are ‘confident’ that Olivier Giroud will stay with the club beyond January despite the forward’s concerns over his playing time ahead of next summer’s European Championships.
Giroud has largely struggled to command an automatic starting place at Stamford Bridge but has returned to favour in recent weeks, scoring in Premier League clashes with Leeds and Wolves following a four-goal haul in the Champions League against Sevilla.
The France international had previously voiced his concerns over a lack of minutes at Chelsea as he bids to retain his place in the national side ahead of Euro 2021, with Les Bleus manager Didier Deschamps having urged the 34-year-old to consider his options next month should his fortunes fail to change.
Giroud has expressed a desire to stay with Chelsea and ‘win trophies’ with the club this season, and the Telegraph are reporting that the Blues are confident of keeping the veteran beyond the winter window.
Chelsea’s hectic fixture schedule – in which they play nine times before the end of the January – is likely to allow all of Frank Lampard’s attacking options chances to impress and the west London side believe Giroud will be confident of featuring regularly enough to command a place with France.
Giroud has scored eight goals in all competitions so far this season and is Chelsea’s joint-leading scorer alongside summer signing Timo Werner, his impressive recent form having moved him ahead of Tammy Abraham in the pecking order.
Read – Keep your enemies closer: Five of the biggest feuds between teammates in football
Read Also – Five Ligue 1 players who should interest Premier League clubs in January