Giroud confirms intention to leave Chelsea in January

Olivier Giroud has given his clearest indication yet that he intends to leave Chelsea in January, once the transfer window opens. This of course is hardly surprising and has been an assumed outcome ever since it became clear that Tammy Abraham has the starting striker position on lockdown and Lampard’s preferred backup is Michy Batshuayi.

“It will be difficult to stay at Chelsea. I’m going to have a chat with the coach. Chances are, there will be a change because I don’t have enough time to express myself on the pitch.

“For the moment, I am a Chelsea player. I still have some games to play here before the transfer window opens. Then we will sit around a table and find the best decision for me. France is one of the possible solutions.”

Giroud’s need to leave has been made clear by France national team head coach Didier Deschamps as well. He had stuck by his man despite a lack of playing time at club level, but has warned that he cannot go on doing that forever. So if Giroud wants to play in Euro 2020, which he very much does, he needs to find minutes somewhere in the second half of the season.

“I am getting less playing time at club level. There is a big expectation around me with the national team. [Euro 2020 is] a priority. It may me one of my last challenges in blue.

“I have my sights set on the Euros. I am focused on this goal and I will do everything I can to get there.”

-Olivier Giroud; source: Le Dauphine Libere via Goal

Giroud was recently linked with Girondins de Bordeaux, which may be a more realistic and more useful option (in terms of available minutes) than the likes of Inter Milan (who have Romelu Lukaku already) or Atlético Madrid (who are possibly signing Edinson Cavani instead to help out Álvaro Morata).

Either way, it looks like his time at the Bridge is ending soon. Perhaps we can give him a nice send-off on Boxing Day?