Chelsea: Olivier Giroud has a long term future with the Blues

Olivier Giroud again excelled for French National Team over the break and should not be underestimated as he continues his career at Chelsea.

Olivier Giroud continues to prove his critics wrong with sustained excellence in both the Premier League and in international play. Giroud just moved into third place all-time in France’s international goal scoring table after a goal vs. Croatia. It’s a signature achievement for the fantastic striker, who claims to be aiming to move into first place by the end of his international reign. Giroud is an oft-underrated player whose place at Chelsea should be secure. His participation this season—and maybe beyond—should be significant.

The Frenchman is, simply stated, a star. His value is too great for the Blues to let him leave the club at anything other than his own asking. Yet, an injury to Timo Werner or Tammy Abraham might again leave the team short on striking talent. Don’t count out the prospect of teaming up Giroud with another striker on the pitch as a tantalizing attacking option, either; he isn’t just a No. 3 option up top.

Giroud banged in his 40th goal for the defending World Cup champions on a penalty in the team’s recent game against Croatia. That goal placed the French center forward in third place, all-time behind Thierry Henry (51) and Michel Platini (41) in goals scored for the national team. Giroud has been—and is—perhaps the most underrated striker in world football. He scores whenever and wherever he plays. He was an underestimated player at Arsenal when he consistently plagued Chelsea with agonizing goals. When the Blues acquired this amazing player from the Gunners, at least this observer was overwhelmingly pleased.

Giroud may not be a superstar, but there is no doubt, Olivier Giroud is at least a star. Chelsea made a fantastic move to acquire him from Arsenal for a meager £18 million in January of 2018. It was a marvelous acquisition, a steal of a transfer for a modest price and it has paid mega-dividends for the Blues. Last season, Giroud—spelling an injured Tammy Abraham, who was kept in the lineup too long while unfit—was immense as Chelsea roared on into a Champions League place. The Blues’ final place in the table is large in part because of Giroud after the suspension.

The 33-year-old was one of three players who were on point on that magnificent run. Giroud destroyed Chelsea’s opponents with his hold-up play, technical ability and his finishing. He was lethal against every one of Chelsea’s adversaries. As a result, the club earned the highly important Championship League qualification.

Coupled with the club’s accumulated resources, that allowed the Blues to initiate one of the most amazing and potentially successful transfer markets in the history of the club, if not the Premier League. Again, all were facilitated to a significant degree by the outstanding play of Giroud. All Giroud does at the soon-to-be age of 34 is to continue to hold up play better than anyone in world football. That is, according to Eden Hazard. He also scores key goals and provide chances for his teammates to score, as well. In short, he is a complete weapon in the attack.

Chelsea is embarking on a season of potentially groundbreaking excellence. Many of the players in this squad are young and/or new. But in addition, there are veterans like Giroud who can be extremely valuable contributors to this Chelsea team both on the pitch and as a fabulous veteran presence in the dressing room.