Olivier Giroud has revealed that he had made his mind to quit Chelsea in the January transfer window, and it was only because the Blues couldn’t find a replacement that he decided to stay back.
Since the start of the season, Giroud has made only nine appearances and has scored two goals in the Premier League. In the last six months, Giroud had made only two appearances in Chelsea colours.
This had made life difficult for the 33-year-old Frenchman who was looking for a move away from Stamford Bridge in search of regular playing time. He said, "To be honest, I saw myself playing elsewhere. I had six tough months, which is why I wanted a change of scene to get back to playing and enjoying myself on the pitch, so I tried to leave in January.”
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His move was only blocked because if they had let him go, Chelsea wouldn’t have had anyone to replace Tammy Abraham. “I did everything I could, but Chelsea didn't want to let me leave because the condition in place was that they had to bring in a replacement. On 31 January, I still hoped that I would leave. I was very disappointed, but I'd say that by the following morning, I'd put that behind me.” said Giroud.
But it proved to be a wise call, as soon after, Tammy Abraham was injured and Giroud was called back into action. “I got straight back into the swing of things and was lucky that we had the winter break. I came back the week after raring to go and had the game against Manchester United when I came on and scored, but was marginally offside.” added the 2018 World Cup winner.
But Giroud’s days in Chelsea are surely numbered as Chelsea will go for a replacement in the summer transfer window. However, there are a number of suitors for the mercurial footballer as the likes of Inter Milan, Lazio and cross-city rivals Tottenham Hotspur line up with bids. Will he decide to stay in England and finish his “London trilogy” or move abroad for a new challenge is the question.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Ozan Kose
