Chelsea: The time has finally come for Olivier Giroud to depart

After years of speculation, it seems as if the time has finally come for Olivier Giroud to depart Chelsea for some of Europe’s greener pastures.

The 2017/18 season will forever be marked a ruinous period in Chelsea’s transfer history. Names like Alvaro Morata, Danny Drinkwater and Davide Zappacosta headlined the Blues’ arrivals, but deep within the dark, there was a light. Olivier Giroud—signed for around £18 million from Arsenal in January—represents that season’s most rewarding purchase. Nearly three years removed from the triangle transfer that shook world football to its core, the second of three dominos is preparing to fall.

Giroud, 34, has been the subject of transfer speculation from the winter of 2019 onward. The Frenchman is still kicking at Chelsea—no pun intended—after playing a vital role in securing the Blues’ place in this campaign’s Champions League. However, after two long years of transfer speculation, it seems as if Giroud’s time in SW6 is quickly coming to a close.

More from Chelsea FC Transfer Rumours

• Shocking transfer news as Chelsea open to selling star player Reece James
• The real reason why Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen rejected Burnley
• Chelsea’s agreement with Lukaku revealed as EPL club lurk
• Chelsea to spend £85m on two young stars as release clause activated
• Chelsea want to hijack Liverpool for a second signing

The veteran striker has spent more time than he would like on the Chelsea sidelines this season. Giroud’s been on the bench for all but 154 minutes in the Blues’ 13 games across all competitions. He was one of the sole reasons Frank Lampard’s team was able to qualify for Europe’s premier club competition this year. However, somebody had to sacrifice minutes to accommodate for Timo Werner’s arrival. Giroud was—depending on how you feel about him—unfortunately that individual.

The 2020 UEFA European Championship was postponed until the summer of 2021 due to Coronavirus and with that tournament creeping up, it’s been in the back of Giroud’s mind. The French No. 9 is getting up there in terms of age. As such, France’s national team manager, Didier Deschamps, has been forced to go in other directions more frequently than in years past. For the 34-year-old, the Euros may represent the last chance to represent his country in a major tournament. If Giroud were to make the 2022 World Cup roster at the age of 36, he would surely find himself in a back-up role.

In order to qualify for the Euros, Giroud needs playing time, something he’s not getting at Chelsea. With just six months left on his contract come January, the Frenchman will surely be taking his long-term future into account. Driving the decision making, above all else perhaps, will be his desire to set records. Giroud currently sits on 44 international goals, seven back of the all-time French scoring record, set by Thierry Henry.

Regardless of what Giroud decides to do, he will be remembered as a true professional around Stamford Bridge. Few expected Chelsea to come out winners of a deal that saw Michy Batshuayi go to Dortmund (on loan), Olivier Giroud switch to Chelsea and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang move to Arsenal. At the time, it seemed as if Arsenal came out the clear winner. The Gunners certainly got the most production out of their addition, but the former Arsenal man captured two trophies with the Blues. Giroud was instrumental in the Blues winning both the 2018 FA Cup and the 2019 Europa League.

If this is truly goodbye, Giroud will leave Chelsea as a fan favorite. He never put a foot wrong—except for when he was in north London—and remained a model professional throughout his long career in the capital. His future may be foggy, but one thing remains clear, Giroud earned some fans for life during his time with the Blues.

Do you think this is the window Giroud leaves Stamford Bridge? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter!