Chelsea outcast Giroud: It was an obvious choice to join Milan
Nicholas Hughes
- Updated: 27 Sept 2021 09:44 BST
- 5 min read
Olivier Giroud has said it was an “obvious choice” to leave Chelsea in the summer to join Milan in search of more game time.
The Frenchman had found it difficult to crack into Thomas Tuchel’s team after the German took over in January, and jumped at the opportunity to move to Italy.
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Speaking to Telefoot, the 34-year-old said it was an easy to decision to make as he quickly settles in at the San Siro.
“It was an obvious choice to join Milan. I supported this club when I was younger, the teams with Papin, van Basten and Baresi. I am proud to have joined this club and I hope to have fun here,” he said.
“I liked the Premier League, but at some point I had to make a decision. I told Tuchel that the last three months had been too difficult.
“It was an obvious choice to leave Chelsea. I moved on with great emotion for all the moments we lived. Some were good, others not as much, but we won three important titles (Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup).”
The transfer marked the end of a nine-year spell in England after Giroud joined Arsenal from Montpellier in 2012.
His finishing, aerial prowess and intelligence in the box led to an impressive 90 goals in the English top flight, and he left Stamford Bridge a European Champion.
Giroud setting his sights on Serie A title with Milan
He never tasted league success in England, and now coming to Milan, that is something that Giroud wants to aim for and feels is within the team’s reach.
“I hope so (Milan can win the title). We have the quality, and young players. It’s a clear target we have,” he said.
Giroud hailed the prospect of playing alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the club, labelling the Swede a “legend” and gearing up for the competition with his teammate.
A target of 15 goals and a title challenge are big ambitions, but Giroud is in a good space at his new club and he will no doubt be a handful for defences both in Serie A and in the Champions League.
