With Euro 2020 up due at the end of the season and lack of game time at Stamford Bridge, Olivier Giroud was hoping to secure a winter switch away from Chelsea to fuel his chances of going as the first choice number 9 with Didier Deschamps as France would try to better out their last Euro appearance (losing to Portugal in Finals).
With likes of Inter Milan and Tottenham interested in his signatures (Well the later is just another name, I don’t think he would have actually switched to Spurs donning to his Arsenal legacy), no deal was done and Olivier was forced to fight for his place in West London.
From having stepped off the bench against Manchester United, Olivier starred against Tottenham in the London Derby at the weekend as the World-Cup winning striker got himself back among the goals.
His Chelsea team-mate Antonio Rudiger insists Olivier Giroud deserves massive respect for not moaning around about his failed move away from Chelsea.
Rudiger speaking with the Evening Standard on the back of an impressive outing by Olivier Giroud in 2-1 win over Spurs: “I give massive respect to him.
“He was always patient, he never said anything, even when his transfer didn’t go through. He remained humble and worked hard.
“And there was also a difference when he came on against United. On Saturday he had a big impact. He is a team player and he always puts himself on the line.
“He is not only about scoring — he is always putting in the hard work and that is why I am very pleased.”
It would be a disaster for Giroud to be named on the bench after having a beautiful exhibition of football. The 33-year-old was successful in passing the audition to Champions League and there is no reason for Lampard to drop him as Chelsea prepare to face Bayern Munich in a much anticipated Champions League night.
