Giroud ‘not suited’ by Chelsea situation – Deschamps tells striker to move

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:47 CDT
• 2 min read

France head coach Didier Deschamps has strongly hinted that Olivier Giroud must leave Chelsea if he is to play at Euro 2020.

The hitman notched his 43rd and 44th international goals for Les Bleus in a 4-2 victory over Sweden on Tuesday. These goals leave him only seven short of tying the nation’s all-time record, held by Thierry Henry.

Giroud’s prospects of matching this figure, though, may hinge on his club future. He has played only 33 Premier League minutes with the Blues across three matches and Deschamps says that may not be enough to allow him selection for the national team.

“I’ve spoken to him about it and he’s conscious of it,” Deschamps said. “He arrived with a physical deficit. Since October, he’s had very, very little playing time.

“The first match against Finland was very useful to him. Then, he came on and did well against Portugal. And now he’s scored two lovely goals.

“The situation at his club doesn’t suit him and doesn’t allow him to arrive at the national team in the best of conditions.”

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Will Giroud leave Chelsea?

Reports in France suggest that Giroud will push for a move away from Chelsea during the January transfer window. West Ham have been linked with a switch for the No.9, while Inter hold an interest, too. Indeed, he was close to moving to the Serie A side at the start of the year.

Meanwhile, Ligue 1 teams Marseille and Bordeaux are both considering their options with regards the forward.

Certainly, with a deal that expires at the end of the season, his long-term future does not appear to be with the London side.

He has fallen behind Tammy Abraham in the Stamford Bridge pecking order, while the summer arrival of Timo Werner has pushed him further from Frank Lampard’s plans.

Giroud has played 94 matches for Chelsea and has scored 29 goals and laid on a further 14 for others.

Prior to move to Chelsea, he turned out on 253 occasions for Arsenal, returning 105 goals, and helped Montpellier to a shock Ligue 1 title win in 85.