Olivier Giroud ready to play his part in Chelsea Premier League title challenge

Chelsea’s summer spending spree may not be extraordinary in terms of total fees — the £200m+ is similar in magnitude to the outlays in each of the two seasons prior to the transfer ban — but in terms of the timing, in terms of the relative fees while others deal with the economic impact of COVID-19, and especially in terms of the expected quality of the acquisitions, it is indeed something quite eye-popping.

Of course, nothing’s guaranteed. We had high expectations for the likes of Álvaro Morata, Tiémoué Bakayoko, and Kepa Arrizabalaga, too. But there’s a feeling that combined with the shifting paradigm of Lampard’s Youth Revolution™, we’re adding proper quality and not just buying for the sake of buying, or hoping for another Azpilicueta diamond in the rough of Barkley, Drinkwater, Emerson, Zappacosta, and so on.

On paper, Chelsea have created a monster of an attack (see also: Chelsea FC Women), and given that it’s Frank Lampard calling the shots from the sideline, we can expect goals galore — and hopefully much more at the other end, rather than our own.

For those who were with the team last year, be they young or old, a massive challenge has been laid down. They will all need to step up, and have the proper attitude, just as Mr. Proper Attitude, Olivier Giroud has been saying all summer.

The World Cup-winner is ready for Premier League glory, and ready to do his part as needed.

“I haven’t spoken with [Lampard about my role]. What is sure is that this level of competition is going to pull us to the top. And so a great club must have different options in each position and I think that everyone and the coach want to be back in the title race.

“Even though City and Liverpool remain very solid, I am here, I finished last season well and I proved to the coach that he can count on me. Werner does not have the same profile as I do. It is a good thing, I hope to have playing time.”

-Olivier Giroud; source: TF1 via GFFN

Giroud didn’t play at all in the first half of last season, then proved to be crucial as Chelsea secured a top four finish, reached the FA Cup final, and the Champions League knockout stages. He’ll ostensibly start the new season at the bottom of the pecking order at striker once again, but could yet again prove a crucial piece of the puzzle as Chelsea aim higher — on and off the pitch.

The first game is in seven days!