The Pride of London
Fansided

Chelsea: Giroud continues to prove doubters wrong with goals

By Michael DeVito

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Christian Pulisic of Chelsea celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea FC at Selhurst Park on July 07, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Justin Tallis/Pool via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Christian Pulisic of Chelsea celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea FC at Selhurst Park on July 07, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Justin Tallis/Pool via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud continues to prove his doubters wrong as his game-winning goals lead Chelsea toward UEFA Champions League qualification

Chelsea’s most valuable player after the restart can be argued until both debaters are blue in the face—no pun intended. Christian Pulisic has been a wunderkind with his direct attacking and Willian has looked rejuvenated since the break, both have helped solidify the front line. But, those two great contributors have to play second (and third) fiddle to the top contributor since reopening, Olivier Giroud. It was predicted that Giroud would win one or two games himself with goals after the break; he’s already won three and there are still three more opportunities.

His performances have been game-winning in the most literal sense as his goals were the go aheads against Aston Villa, Watford and Norwich. The Blues have gotten real production from their center forward when it counts, he’s added six goals to the scoresheet in the last 10 Premier League games. Yet, the irony remains that even with this point-producing production, Giroud has actually underachieved, if that can be possible. It’s clear, and it would likely be his own admission, he could have scored a bunch more with a bit of luck and/or fortune.

Chelsea still has to battle down-to-the-wire for a UEFA Champions League position in the table for next season. Giroud wasn’t played much at the beginning of the season but with his production as it is now, it’s clear that he should have been playing more throughout. This was especially evident after Tammy Abraham was hurt and subsequently still played on an injured ankle.

From December 2019 until February 2020, Giroud wasn’t even in the squad for ten games. Prior to that stretch, he had only started five games total. Since the restart on June 21, he has been included in all matches and scored three game winners. It certainly appears that if Giroud had started more games earlier in the season, Chelsea would have cruised to a top four position. The Frenchman should always have been a starter, or at a minimum the second choice, for every game this season at Chelsea. Not using the veteran more often is one of the costliest mistakes made by Chelsea manager Frank Lampard this season.

In any event, Giroud has come on strong after being reinserted into the starting XI and regaining Lampard’s confidence. Along with a revitalized Willian and a refocused Christian Pulisic, Giroud has spearheaded a Chelsea attack that may provide just enough spark to earn a top four position.

Next. Chelsea: Buying leaders is hard, so why not make them?. dark

In the end, if the Blues secure a UCL place, most of the accolades should go to those three forwards. But, the squad’s best has been Giroud. He deserves more time at Chelsea. Hopefully, he’ll get a couple/few more seasons to continue to show his great value to the club.

Home/Chelsea FC News