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Giroud explains why he‘s not too ‘worried’ about his role at Chelsea following Werner arrival

Olivier Giroud has explained why he is not too ‘worried’ about his role at Chelsea following the club’s capture of Timo Werner from RB Leipzig.

Chelsea have embarked on an impressive and expensive summer of recruitment as the west London side look to close the gap on the Premier League’s leading sides, spending lavishly on a host of signings including the arrival of Germany international Werner.

Werner has established himself as one of the best young forwards in European football during his time in the Bundesliga and scored 34 goals in all competitions last season, with the 24-year-old expected to spearhead a new-look Chelsea attack next season.

Giroud has spent much of his time at Stamford Bridge as a peripheral figure before earning a prolonged run in the side over the second half of last season, the impressive performances of the 33-year-old seeing him sign a contract extension with Frank Lampard’s side.

The France international will now have increased competition for a starting spot once more following the high-profile signing of Werner, though Giroud insists he is confident of regular football given the contrast between the two forwards’ style of play.

“In every big club, there’s competition, and it always motivated me to fight for my spot,” Giroud told reporters while on international duty with France.

“Now, I’m not naive and I know that the club bought Werner to put him on the pitch. One thing’s for sure: we don’t have the same profile, he likes to go on the sides, he did it with his club and his national team.

“If it was a striker with a similar profile, I would have been more worried, but I think with the different games and the different teams we’ll play.

“The coach will choose different tactical systems and I really hope I’ll play, following what I did last year.”

Giroud also discussed his improved relationship with Lampard having forced his way back into the manager’s plans, the forward having been on the verge of leaving Chelsea during the winter window before returning to the fold.

“My relationship with the coach has changed, clearly,” he added. “When we were looking to find a solution for me leaving, I started to know him better. We had a few one-on-ones and I think he started to know me better as well, so it was positive.

“We trust each other, he clearly told me I would have a chance after the lockdown. So, I gave his confidence back on the pitch.

“He knows my values and my professionalism, he said it in the press.

“I have a good relationship with him, [but] it doesn’t mean he’ll start me every game. I have to perform during training to be in the starting line-up.”

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