After recent performances, Antonio Conte has spoken glowingly about Olivier Giroud. But what he says about Giroud also speaks volumes about Michy Batshuayi.
Antonio Conte cannot stop praising Olivier Giroud. And it is clear to see why. Even before coming on and scoring a brace against Southampton, he had been a consistent threat. He was a thorn in Burnley’s side. And he tripped/intentionally dribbled his way into the opener in the FA Cup.
After the FA Cup match, Conte spoke about Giroud. Not only did he talk about and praise his characteristics, but he was happy that he could use Giroud alongside Morata. Indeed, it appears as though merely having Giroud has force Morata back into form. But it is not what he is saying about Giroud that is interesting, it is what he never said about Michy Batshuayi.
It is no secret that Batshuayi struggled under Conte. And mostly, it makes sense as to why. Last season, Diego Costa was in mostly fine form all season and there were few games to justify rotation. This season, Alvaro Morata started in fine form that surpassed Batshuayi’s preseason form. But when Diego Costa and Alvaro Morata came off the boil, Conte was reluctant to use Batshuayi. In fact, Eden Hazard in an uncomfortable false nine role was preferred.
But Conte does not appear to have similar hangups about Giroud. Hazard has played false nine since Giroud’s arrival but it was in the early days when Morata was out of form and Giroud was still recovering from injury. And do not forget that Giroud is only at the club because Batshuayi is not.
Chelsea entered January wanting a big, target man of a striker. It is also likely that they entered January knowing Batshuayi wanted to leave for playing time. With Arsenal and Dortmund as middle men, the moves happened. Giroud came to Chelsea to take Batshuayi’s backup spot. Batshuayi went to Dortmund to find regular playing time.
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Except Giroud can hardly be called a backup. He has rotated in plenty and done well with the time he has been given. Conte has even started both Giroud and Morata together, something fans wanted the manager to do with Batshuayi and Morata. For whatever reason, Conte never felt comfortable using Batshuayi and Morata together. He does not appear to have the same hangup on Giroud.
Even more, Conte is unafraid to start Giroud or sub him on at the expense of Morata. Batshuayi, when he came on for a striker, often had very little time to play. Giroud usually comes on early or simply starts. This in turn has made Alvaro Morata find his form again.
So what was it about Batshuayi that made Conte think he was not ready to start? Or partner with Morata? By Conte’s comments, only Giroud is making this possible, implying that it was impossible with Batshuayi. And why is Giroud capable of challenging Morata to perform whereas Batshuayi was not?
These are not simple questions, and it is unlikely that the truth of things will ever be known. But Conte is speaking volumes of how he rated Batshuayi by how he is speaking about Giroud.
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If Conte somehow stays at Chelsea, and with the Blues facing a log jam up top, Batshuayi might be the player sacrificed to clear the blockage. Giroud seems to be everything Conte always wanted whereas Batshuayi never made the grade. If Conte is staying, it will be best for all to part ways.