Chelsea reclaim a sense of purpose in their attack through Olivier Giroud

Olivier Giroud was only a goal (scorpion kick optional) shy of having a perfect debut in Chelsea’s starting XI. Giroud infused Chelsea’s attack with the intent and ambition only a true striker can provide.

Despite Monday night’s fixture against West Brom being the first time Giroud has been in the starting lineup, he and his teammates knew exactly what to do. In a way, for players of their experience and skill levels, it was plainly simple. Giroud fulfilled the fundamental duties of a Premier League centre-forward. He played the role almost archetypically, as well he should in his sixth year near (as near as Arsenal would let him get) the top of the league.

For a team and a manager so well-versed in a role-based system of football, Giroud integrated seamlessly. In his 61 minutes on the pitch Giroud had 51 touches – more than Alvaro Morata has had in all but two games. Giroud received 37 passes from every player on the pitch – including himself, in fact, per StatsZone. Only three times this season has Morata received more.

Giroud was a more familiar style of striker for Chelsea than Alvaro Morata. This is likely a combination of Giroud’s experience in the league as well as his individual tendencies. Many of Giroud’s best moments – including his assist to Eden Hazard – came with his back toward goal. He demonstrated the hold-up play the Blues lacked from Morata or Michy Batshuayi.

By controlling possession for a few seconds, he brought Hazard, Pedro and Cesc Fabregas into the play far more effectively than Chelsea’s other strikers this season.

As a result, Giroud was not isolated from the rest of the play. Many strikers across the league are the dead-end of a build-up. Once the ball reaches them, the play either ends in a shot or a change of possession. Against West Brom, Chelsea had passing lanes to and from every player, including Giroud.

With Giroud able to control – not just occupy – the centre of the pitch and influence the flow of play, Eden Hazard had even more freedom than usual to create. Hazard could go anywhere and do anything because he knew if he ran into trouble he would always have two outlets: Cesc Fabregas laying off him deep, and Olivier Giroud in the centre of the box. This lifted the pressure on Hazard to always go it alone to break through the defence. He could be as inventive and experimental as he liked because he always had a relief outlet in sight.

Finally, Giroud was a physical centre-forward, absorbing plenty of hacks from West Brom. The stats sheet credits him with being fouled only twice, but the Baggies targeted Giroud in a way that is normally the province of Eden Hazard.

Like Hazard – and unlike Morata – Giroud did everything possible to stay on his feet and keep the play moving. Match official Lee Mason played several very smart advantages for Chelsea as Hazard and Giroud stayed vertical and pressed their advantage. Only an accidental boot to the back of the head kept Giroud on the pitch for more than a few seconds. The bearded, bandaged Frenchman quickly returned to action with no interruption or attenuation of his play.

Giroud used his size and strength as a means to an end: playing beautiful football. He took the hacks and held off the defenders so he could flick, side-foot and back-heel with Eden Hazard. He even attempted a gratuitous bicycle kick, surely not for the last time.

Next: Player ratings vs. West Brom: Hazard, Azpilicueta, Giroud combine for essential win

Olivier Giroud’s debut combined Diego Costa’s physicality with Morata’s finesse. Call him a target man, call him a reference point, call him what you like. Soon enough, you may be calling him a starter in Chelsea’s best XI.