All anybody wanted to know after last night’s historic performance was what was next for Olivier Giroud. Will he play more? Will he start on Saturday? Does it change his January plans? Will he stay? Will he still go? And so on and so forth.
But all Giroud himself wanted to do was to bask in the glory just for a bit, to enjoy the moment, to revel in making club history, to slow down and smell the roses ... or whatever a men’s dressing room might smell like after 90 minutes of intense football.
“Let me enjoy the night and that great win, and after that we will rest and we will see what the gaffer’s plan is.”
“It’s always nice to be in the club history and we play football to mark our history, so I’m pleased to help the team to win and to score the four goals.”
-Olivier Giroud; source: BT Sport via Goal
Left foot, right foot, header and a penalty!
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 3, 2020
The PERFECT hat-trick... + ! @_OlivierGiroud_ pic.twitter.com/cj0JChquUH
Giroud is closing in on three years at Stamford Bridge, and while he’s rarely been the nailed on starter at center forward for too long, he’s certainly managed to make his mark. Every cup final he’s started, we’ve won. He’s been a model professional for all his teammates, and a mentor for the next generation. Ever reliable, ever reasonable, ever likable — if and when he does leave, his absence will be felt, on and off the pitch.
Whether that happens in January remains to be seen. Wednesday night’s performance should serve to remind us in no uncertain terms that it would behoove us greatly to keep him happy and well- (or at least better-) supplied with minutes than so far this season.
But here we go again, talking about the future. Let us just enjoy the life, at least for a moment, as another former big personality at the club used to say.
“It’s always nice to be a part of club history. You play football to write great stories. I’m proud. I had great assists from my team-mates and I just tried to finish the job.
“When I’m on the pitch I’m the happiest man. I just try to be patient, keep the faith and bring something else to the team. It is always special to play in the Champions League and it was an important game to finish first in the group, so I’m pleased to help the team to win.
“Sometimes you feel anything can happen, and that was one of them.”
-Olivier Giroud; source: Chelsea FC
Don’t leave us, Oli.
Oli
— Ben Chilwell (@BenChilwell) December 2, 2020
Over to you, @_OlivierGiroud_! #SEVCHE pic.twitter.com/f4LmZDeHK6
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 2, 2020