Olivier Giroud isn’t any getting respect from Chelsea or France

Olivier Giroud, Chelsea stalwart and star of the French National Team, can’t seem to get any respect from either the Blues or now even Les Bleus. The late, great Rodney Dangerfield—American comic and actor (best known for his role in Caddyshack)—used to say, “I don’t get no respect, no respect at all.” It seems fitting that Giroud could say the same as he has been marginalized by his club and now his country, as well. This happens though he continues to produce, scoring goals and making his teammates better every time he steps onto the pitch.

It is well documented that I believe Giroud is likely the most underrated and under-appreciated striker in world football. This is because all he does is score when called upon; therefore, it has to be laid at the feet of his managers for failing to see what many of us outside the game find readily viewable. To put it simply, the Frenchman is really good. He was benched by former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard until a hobbled Tammy Abraham could no longer play at all in 2019/20. Giroud then proceeded to tear up the Premier League along with Christian Pulisic and Willian. The trio jointly secured a very unlikely Champions League spot for the Blues.

How fortuitous was that? Those heroics afforded the Blues the opportunity to compete in, and subsequently win, the most coveted club prize of all. No Giroud, no qualification, no trophy; it isn’t rocket science. This year, Giroud once again—his contributions the past half-season after the COVID-19 break notwithstanding—was riding the bench under Lampard and Thomas Tuchel. All the while, Chelsea strikers couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn with a snow shovel all season long.

Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud still has a lot to offer some major European clubs.

It was written in this space previously that Giroud should have his contract extended for his 2020 efforts. It was not apparent then that the club had energized an extension for the striker for 2021/22. The reason may be purely financial by the club to try to realize some pittance of a profit from a move to AC Milan or elsewhere. His transfermarkt value is £3.6 million, which, albeit drastically low, is better than nothing. It should have been triggered and further extended due to the fact that Giroud has been a terrific servant and striker for the club. He helped the Blues win the Europa League a couple of years ago and has been a consistent performer for them whenever his name has been called.

Giroud’s age (34, soon to be 35) has sometimes cited a reason for some imaginary decline in his play. Some players are physically able to excel well into their 30s, as the great Thiago Silva and a certain Cristiano Ronaldo are demonstrating, amongst others. While many slow down as they age, that doesn’t seem to be the case at all with Giroud. There has been no drop off in his play since moving to SW6. The only drop off has been in the minutes allotted to the striker by managers who are too short-sighted to realize what they have at their disposal, even when he excels at times during their own managerial stints. For some weird reason, they seem oblivious to reality.

Now, this is not saying that Chelsea should rely on Giroud as the primary striker. That role will hopefully be passed on to Erling Haaland or another young striker after the summer transfer window. Yet, with Giroud on board, along with Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, that’s all the Blues will need to man that position next season. This is assuming they should sell or loan Tammy Abraham, for whatever frivolous reason they may concoct to do so.

That’s enough blowing off steam again about Giroud. Let’s finish this missive by once again suggesting to the Blues that they finally give the Frenchman his due respect, provide a proper extension and a guarantee of playing time in various competitions.