Olivier Giroud: Frenchman would be “handy” for Juve, says Pirlo

Nicholas Hughes

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

Olivier Giroud: Frenchman would be “handy” for Juve, says Pirlo — © ProShots

Juventus head coach Andrea Pirlo has admitted Olivier Giroud would be a “handy” January signing as he looks to bolster his forward stocks for the remainder of the season.

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The Old Lady currently sit fifth in Serie A, 10 points shy of first-placed Milan, and are on course to lose their 10-year stranglehold on the Scudetto.

Aside from Cristiano Ronaldo’s 14 goals in the league, Juventus have had no other player exceed five goals for the season with Alvaro Morata next on four.

Giroud has forced his way back into Frank Lampard’s plans at Chelsea and is currently 10^th in the Premier League for goals P90, according to InStat.

Olivier Giroud’s 2020/21 statistics

Statistic	Giroud
Goals	3
Goals P90	0.69
xG90	0.51
Aerial duels won P90	3
Touches in box P90	6.3

*League minutes only

The Frenchman has scored three goals in nine league games – of which just four have been starts – to go with five Champions League strikes, including the spectacular four-goal haul against Sevilla in his only start during the group stages.

In his first season in management, Pirlo suggested that a new centre forward could be top of his wish list in January, admitting Giroud could be someone to do the job.

“The window opens tomorrow, we already discussed with the club what we want to do and if there are any opportunities,” he told DAZN.

“Maybe a striker that can rotate with our strikers.”

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The 34-year-old is still playing for a place at the Euros with France next summer, and as recently as November there was heavy speculation linking him with a move away for increased game time.

But having proven his worth and with Timo Werner struggling in his debut season with the Blues, Chelsea may now be eager to keep Giroud as they look to reignite a title challenge.

Whether or not Giroud would become first choice with the likes of Ronaldo, Morata and Paulo Dybala in Juve’s ranks is one for Pirlo to ponder, but a move might well make sense for both parties if the Frenchman gets the minutes he desires.