Chelsea: Is Olivier Giroud the most underrated, rated player?

Olivier Giroud is a top class professional, but many supporters seem to forget just how lethal Chelsea’s veteran striker can be.

Stylish but simple, elegant and destructive, underrated but rated. Olivier Giroud has gained a following somewhat surreptitiously, although many Chelsea fans have known of his quality for years.

Ask for the greatest French player of his generation, and you’ll probably get Michel Platini. Query who is the greatest French player to have graced the Premier League, a comfortable bet would be Thierry Henry or Eric Cantona. Cases can be made for Patrick Viera, Robert Pires, Claude Makelele, N’Golo Kante and David Ginola, as well. Perhaps you’ll question who is the best French striker to have featured for both Chelsea and Arsenal? Nicolas Anelka springs to mind.

A safer wager would be that Giroud not once sprung to mind throughout that illustrious ensemble. He only has one league title to his name, from his native land eight years ago. Individual accolades are not part of his repertoire. Neither Real Madrid, Barcelona or any European juggernaut have summoned his services. He cannot turn the tide of a game all by his own devices. On only four occasions has he scored 20+ goals in a single campaign, but for all the things he is not, there is a tidal wave of superlatives to wash away his perceived inabilities.

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Just over a week ago, he nailed three incredible milestones with one stone. Against Ukraine, he marked his 100th cap for France—becoming only the third player to do so behind Henry and Zinedine Zidane—by being awarded the captain’s armband and netting a brace, taking his total to 42. Henry is now the only name standing in the way of Giroud becoming the country’s all-time record goalscorer, leapfrogging Michel Platini as he approaches national immortality.

Didier Deschamps has rarely overlooked the 6-foot-3 forward, selecting him for every major tournament since he became Le Blues boss back in 2012. His infamous role as the non-scoring vocal point in France’s 2018 World Cup victory was an oddity accepted, mainly because of his unselfish role that relinquished the shackles of Kylian Mbappe or Antoine Griezmann.

Of a generation blessed with an array of exciting attackers—Karim Benzema, Louis Saha, Ousmane Dembele, Anthony Martial, Andre-Pierre Gignac, to name a few—Giroud has gracefully glided past any opposition for the No. 9 jersey. Internationally, he is treasured goods. Domestically, his worth remains undefined.

Arsene Wenger’s French antennae was immediately alerted after Giroud netted 21 goals in Montpellier’s unprecedented Ligue 1 success in 2011/12. He returned 17 during his maiden term at the Emirates, marred by the departure of Robin Van Persie, the man he was meant to support not replace. Wenger reimbursed the Van Persie profit on Mesut Ozil, allowing Giroud the post of frontman unchallenged. Again he excelled, netting 22 times as Arsenal’s second-highest appearance maker, overshadowed on this instance by Aaron Ramsey’s rise to prominence.

It became a Groundhog Day of goals, but glory and gratitude elsewhere. 2014/15: 19 goals and an FA Cup ignored by the arrival of Alexis Sanchez. 2015/16: 24 goals (top scorer) under-appreciated by Ozil’s assisting menagerie. 2016/17: 16 goals and an FA Cup outshone by Sanchez/the fear of his departure.

Chelsea has hardly been a reawakening of fortunes. Giroud joined in January 2018 to supply healthy competition. Then, manager Antonio Conte curtailed to Italy with Maurizio Sarri instead appearing in a cloud of cigarette smoke. In the league, Giroud was surplus to requirements to the comedy duo of Alvara Morata and Gonzalo Higuain. Bored of enduring their slapstick routine, he put a serious stamp upon the Blues’ Europa League triumph by scoring 11 goals in 14 games. This included one in the final against Arsenal, rightly earning the competition’s Golden Boot. However, the red carpet and confetti cannons were saved for Eden Hazard, the mesmeric Belgian signing off from Chelsea in style as he waved adios to Stamford Bridge for the sunshine of Madrid.

Then, it was Sarri who departed as Frank Lampard came in. With the transfer ban looming, the Blues were short on strikers and Giroud’s eyes lit up. His chance at center stage had arrived, just as he was rehearsing his final lines, a young understudy ushered him to the wings. Tammy Abraham jumped into the spotlight and the crowd went wild. His shows were sellouts until Christmas, by then the pantomime is out of season—a more mature production was required. Giroud’s encore consisted of seven goals post-lockdown, ensuring Chelsea’s fourth place finish and an FA Cup final appearance.

As much as managers have moved him aside, as much as they have tried to freshen up with a younger model, they simply never afforded to relinquish him for his quality, not financial gain. His greatest goals compilation could make up an art exhibition; every kind of stroke and finish, delicate touches from all angles and heights, and priceless portraits of stunned opponents. His inexplicable scorpion kick against Crystal Palace rightly rose to the top of the Puskas pile, the move initiated by nonchalant back-heel from Giroud himself.

A deft touch for such a strong figure should come as no surprise, considering he openly explained to the world what his strengths were upon signing for Arsenal:

"“I think I have the weapons to do well here. It might be a style that I’m good at, though I’m also a player who likes to play, who likes to participate in the game.”"

Like a ballerina in a bodybuilder’s clothing, his extraordinary adaptability is not mentioned enough. What his coaches have commented on is his personality, which has grown from an egotistical, self-obsessed playboy to a mature, experienced leader. Lampard echoed this trait, saying “he has been incredible as a player and a man during this time,” after announcing Giroud would not be leaving Chelsea in the transfer window. Wenger built on this by saying, “he never let us down on the commitment front and he saved us many times.”

Perhaps that is what he will be remembered for; a savior, not a saint—an incredible player who is outdone by others incredible achievements. Lest we forget the aforementioned French forwards he has outplayed in the Premier League with only Anelka, Saha, Viera and Henry having more appearances in England.

Giroud is among the elite whether people like it or not. It is our duty to enshrine him as a legend, not allow his legacy to fade away.