Olivier Giroud

[robsblubot 3,504]

19 minutes ago, MoroccanBlue said:

Make no mistake, Abraham improved his hold up and link up play and that warranted his starts given the form he was in. Mind you, I was for Giroud to play against Spurs. But again, Lampard plays based on form. 

Agree that he has, but he is still not as effective in tougher matches as he is against weaker opposition, and I think there are reasons for that. 

Fair enough. Think most thought Giroud would have been a better fit for the spurs game, but now we will never know.

[killer1257 3,282]

Insane performance. Has to start the next match

Gesendet von meinem VOG-L29 mit Tapatalk

[Jase 43,479]

Giroud became only the 8th player to score 4 goals in a game against a Spanish side.

 

[Jase 43,479]

Giroud is on the cusp of another Chelsea renaissance

https://theathletic.com/2235439/2020/12/03/olivier-giroud-chelsea-tammy-abraham/

The decision for Chelsea coach Frank Lampard appears to be a no-brainer: Olivier Giroud scored four goals against Sevilla to ensure Chelsea qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League as group winners, so has to lead the line instead of Tammy Abraham against Leeds United on Saturday, right?

That was certainly the consensus among fans and pundits as they watched the club’s impressive 4-0 victory in Spain. Within minutes of the final whistle, former Chelsea manager Glenn Hoddle and midfielder Joe Cole couldn’t have been more emphatic.

“He has to play at the weekend after scoring four goals,” Hoddle told BT Sport. “He can’t wait to get out on that football pitch again. He has so much confidence. He has that belief now of ‘I’m scoring goals. I’m in this rich vein of form’. It’s very difficult to leave him out. He’s earned that.”

Cole concurred: “He’s given Frank a massive headache, a good headache. Does he go with Tammy? You have to go with Giroud with his four goals. What a player.”

The thing is, it’s not that simple. For starters, one suspects Abraham was named on the bench against Sevilla because Lampard had already earmarked him for the first XI against Leeds.

Lampard knew the question over Giroud being picked instead was coming during his post-match media duties and didn’t give much away other than to warn that it is “a tight turnaround” but also something he will have to think about.

It is not the first time Lampard has been in this position. Abraham was first-choice striker for the first five months of last season, but an ankle injury in January gave Giroud the opportunity to impress. He did just that, scoring nine goals in a 15-game spell and keeping the England international on the periphery, even after his return to fitness.

This campaign has seen the situation reversed once again, albeit only once Lampard decided new signing Timo Werner should operate more on the left-hand side of the attack rather than straight down the middle. Abraham, who was an unused substitute in Seville, has had nine starts to Giroud’s two over the last three months.

But why would Lampard consider sticking with the 23-year-old after Giroud reigned in Spain? Having already got a hat-trick, the Frenchman seemed to be making his argument when he took a late penalty rather than giving the opportunity to a team-mate.

Well, on top of being fully rested, Abraham is in pretty good form himself. He has a return of five goals and four assists from 15 appearances this season, although he missed a few good chances to add to that tally during last weekend’s goalless draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

However, it is about more than just stats. As one source explains: “Lampard loves Olivier’s professionalism and what he can do. He is highly regarded for the type of forward he is. The issue is over the lack of threat he poses when a ball is played in behind and the pressing off the ball.

“I think Lampard sees what happened tactically in the FA Cup final loss to Arsenal as an example. With Giroud not having the speed to run in behind Arsenal’s defence, Arsenal pushed higher up the pitch and were able to press Chelsea more. Going forward, I believe he just has a different plan for what he wants the team to do, how he wants them to play.”

Still, it should be pointed out that things have begun to change for the better for Giroud of late. As reported by The Athletic last month, the 34-year-old decided in the international break that he will have to leave Stamford Bridge in January if he doesn’t get more playing time.

It is understood Giroud would not like to leave Chelsea, in an ideal world. But the former Arsenal striker has been warned by France coach Didier Deschamps that his place at the European Championships next summer will be in jeopardy if he is not featuring at club level more regularly. At that stage, he had been granted just 154 minutes of action this season.

Lampard, who enjoys a great relationship with Giroud, appears to have responded to the potential threat by giving him 119 minutes (one start, three appearances as a substitute) in the four games Chelsea have played since.

Sources have told The Athletic that this switch in Giroud’s treatment is a positive step and should it continue, may mean he stays until next summer after all.

What happens — particularly in regards to the number of appearances — over the next eight weeks remains crucial. High-profile clubs are making their interest known. Adding someone of Giroud’s experience and calibre for the second half of the season would improve the options of many managers that are competing on multiple fronts. In saying that, Chelsea are showing positive signs they could win silverware too.

Even if Abraham remains ahead of Giroud in the pecking order for the visit of Leeds, the busy schedule should provide the latter more opportunities. Saturday’s fixture is the first of eight in the space of just 29 days for Chelsea. Rotation will be necessary.

Significantly, Lampard enthused post-match about what Giroud’s presence can do for the side. “It was not just his performance,” he said. “When you play him and utilise his strengths, there’s a real balance in the rest of the team.”

Giroud now has two perfect hat-tricks — a goal scored with his left foot, right foot and head — for Chelsea, having first managed the feat against Dynamo Kyiv in the Europa League last year. His record in European club competition since the beginning of the 2018-19 campaign shows he has the joint-third most amount of goals (with Erling Haaland on 16), trailing only Lionel Messi (18) and Robert Lewandowski (26). That would be some asset for Chelsea not keep on the bench until his contract runs out in the summer.

As Giroud went to take a seat in the stands following his late substitution against Sevilla, Abraham walked over to give the veteran a warm embrace and congratulate him on four magnificent goals. He clearly enjoys having him around.

Chelsea can only benefit from the competition continuing between them.

[Superblue 6,370]

38 minutes ago, Jason said:

Chelsea can only benefit from the competition continuing between them.

This is very important.

I don't think it's a coincidence that upon rebuilding this squad in the summer, Lampard has a lot of versatility across his midfield and attack and effectively 2 senior players for every position on the pitch now. It's the most depth we've had at the club since Mourinho's first stint.

When everyone is fit, that amount of competition can only push players to keep standards high and perform when given chances.

December is critical with the volume of games to be played in short spaces of time but if we come out of that period relatively unscathed, we could be a serious contender for the top trophies this season.

[Vesper 28,801]

Frank Lampard and Chelsea can't afford to make the same mistake as Arsenal over Olivier Giroud

Four-goal haul against Sevilla another reminder of France star's quality for Stamford Bridge boss

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/chelsea-arsenal-transfer-news-giroud-23110901

 

[Jase 43,479]

GIROUD: I WANT TO STAY AT CHELSEA AND WIN MORE TROPHIES

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2020/12/03/giroud--i-want-to-stay-at-chelsea-and-win-more-trophies?cardIndex=0-4

‘I just have to show the manager that I am ready to fight until the end, as I told him at the beginning of the season, but obviously to be happy I need to be a little bit more on the pitch,’ Giroud said in the aftermath of our 4-0 win in Seville, a result that secured top spot in the Champions League Group E.

‘The gaffer gave me the opportunity to play and I hope I will have more opportunities again because I think I’ve shown him that I am ready to fight for the team. We all want to be on the pitch but we have a great squad.’

‘If I play a bit more than in the beginning of the season, I have a good chance to be fit and ready for the Euros,' he added. 

'I had a conversation with Deschamps and he said if the situation stayed like that, I will have to take a decision in January. I am pretty sure I can get some more game time and stay at Chelsea because that is what I want. I want to win trophies with Chelsea so basically that’s it.

‘You never know in football, everything is going very fast, but right now I am very happy. I am a happy man and I am proud to be a Chelsea player.’

[Vesper 28,801]

8 minutes ago, Jason said:

GIROUD: I WANT TO STAY AT CHELSEA AND WIN MORE TROPHIES

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2020/12/03/giroud--i-want-to-stay-at-chelsea-and-win-more-trophies?cardIndex=0-4

 

 

thank fuck

now play the monster a lot more, Frank!!!!!

[Milan 17,853]

 

[Milan 17,853]

 

[NikkiCFC 7,950]

Two season in a row Frank thinks he can go without him only to realize later he cannot!

Has been phenomenal since February for us! He scored 6 from our last 7 goals and also played big part in that Zouma goal by covering two defenders and opening space for Kurt.

There is no reason not to continue with him... Goal every 103 minutes since start of the last season.

[Vesper 28,801]

Gilberto Silva bemoans Arsene Wenger transfer choice costing Arsenal today

Arsenal hero Gilbero Silva has claimed iconic manager Arsene Wenger made a mistake by selling Olivier Giroud to Chelsea shortly before he departed the Emirates

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-arsene-wenger-transfer-chelsea-23121116

[Vesper 28,801]

Arsene Wenger hails in-form Chelsea star for "qualities that nobody else has"

Former Arsenal manager Wenger has put club loyalties aside to praise a Chelsea player for his "immaculate mentality" after his stunning performance in the Blues' most-recent fixture

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsene-wenger-hails-chelsea-star-23119708

[Jase 43,479]

28 minutes ago, NikkiCFC said:

Two season in a row Frank thinks he can go without him only to realize later he cannot!

Has been phenomenal since February for us! Last two games he scored 6 from our 7 goals and also he played big part in that Zouma goal by covering two defenders and opening space for Kurt.

There is no reason not to continue with him... Goal every 103 minutes since start of the last season.

We were doing fine until about 2 games ago. Abraham was doing well and scoring goals. Hard to just drop him.

The good thing this season is, Lampard hasn't tried to flog Abraham or Werner or someone else upfront to death before turning to Giroud. Lampard having Batshuayi ahead of Giroud last season is still one of the biggest BSs around.

[Vesper 28,801]

8 minutes ago, Jason said:

Lampard having Batshuayi ahead of Giroud last season is still one of the biggest BSs around.

staggering

smdh

at least he learned

[Vesper 28,801]

Gary Lineker makes Olivier Giroud claim during Chelsea against Leeds

https://www.thechelseachronicle.com/club-news/gary-lineker-makes-olivier-giroud-claim-during-chelsea-against-leeds/

Gary Lineker claimed that Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud may be the most “underrated” striker in the world midway through the Premier League fixture against Leeds United. 

The Blues went into half-time at Stamford Bridge 1-1 with Leeds United and it was the visitors that went in front with an early goal from Patrick Bamford.

But France international Giroud equalised for Chelsea to continue his brilliant week, as he scored four goals against Sevilla in the Champions League a few days ago.

The 34-year-old arrived at the near post to glance on a cross from full-back Reece James into the net, justifying the decision from manager Frank Lampard to give him his first league start of the season.

Giroud has played second fiddle to teammate Tammy Abraham in the opening stages of the season, but looks a goal threat whenever he’s on the pitch and is showing no signs of slowing down at his age. 

He’s looking to nail down a more regular position at club level to boost his chances of leading the line next summer for national side France in the European Championships.

Giroud now has five goals in his last three halves of football and is a player brimming with confidence right now.

Lineker sent a message on Twitter about the centre-forward during the first-half of the match against Leeds hailing his quality.

 

 

[Vesper 28,801]

6 - Olivier Giroud is the first player to score in six consecutive Premier League starts for Chelsea since Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in October 2001. Super. #CHELEE

 

[Johnnyeye 7,441]

I absolutely love his professionalism and commitment , i'm delighted for him, he's in top form atm