Having survived ‘annoying’ Sarri DECISIONS, Giroud targets ‘more than a year’ more at Chelsea

Despite barely playing in the Premier League, Olivier Giroud finished the season as the second leading goalscorer at Chelsea, making up for his lack of league action by pacing the Europa League with 11 goals as Chelsea won a fifth European trophy. He added 2 more goals in 800 or so minutes (7 starts, 20 substitute appearances) in the league, as Maurizio Sarri preferred to use Álvaro Morata, Gonzalo Higuaín, or even an out-of-position Eden Hazard instead for much of the season.

Many had found that somewhat annoying, and now that Sarri’s likely to leave, Giroud let it slip that he did, too.

“It is true that at one point I went to see [Sarri] when I did not understand his choices. He gave me explanations.

“What was annoying is in January, when he preferred to recruit an attacker who he knew very well, Higuain, it was not easy for me to reap any benefits.

“As usual, I tried to stay focused to prove that I could play. I tried to stay focused to prove that he was wrong about some of the choices. But when you bring in a player in January it’s hard to put him back on the bench and disown him.”

This could get awkward if Sarri for some reason ends up staying at Chelsea, though at the moment there seems to be little chance of that happening.

Giroud did eventually agree to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge for another season, as Chelsea picked up the club option on his contract. He’s made no secret of his love for the Blues, after all, plus, at the moment, he’s the only center forward guaranteed to be with the team next season, with Higuaín going back to Juventus and none of the loanees coming back, Tammy Abraham or Michy Batshuayi assured of a spot.

“I did not have a lot of playing time in the league, and it’s not something that pleased me, but I tried to be effective every time I played. I did not give up, despite my frustration.”

In fact, the 32-year-old Giroud, who remains the starting center forward for World Champions France as well, has hinted at an even longer stay if things continue to work out minutes- and trophy-wise in the SW6 when talking with the media ahead of France’s Euro 2020 qualifying match against Turkey.

“I have at least another year in England, and the chances are it will be more than a year,” said Giroud.

“I do not see myself anywhere other than in Chelsea.”

-Olivier Giroud; source: Express

We love you, too, Olivier.