Olivier Giroud has done a decent job for Chelsea FC so far but may need to pick it up a notch this coming season. Frank Lampard has brought in a lot of young blood, led no less by Timo Werner. The influx of new talent has raised a lot of questions, particularly on how it will affect the playing minutes of the 33-year-old player.
As far as Giroud is concerned, he is different from any player on the team. Some feel that he could be displaced with the entry of Werner. But for him, he and Werner play a lot differently and believed that they have their contributions for the Blues.
"We want to be in the race for the title and I'm here. I finished the season well and I proved to the manager that he can count on me," Giroud said via Telefoot. "Werner is not the same profile as me, I hope to have some playing time."
If Giroud wants to keep or get more playing time, he needs to find a way to pick up his game. He appeared in 18 games last season, starting in 12 of them. Also, the French player needs to play hard considering it will be the final year of his deal. Whether he stays or goes, he needs to prove to football fans that he can still play at a competitive level.
"I haven't spoken to Lampard. One thing is certain: the competition [in the squad] will pull us all to the top. A great club should have different options in each position," Giroud said.
Ironically, Giroud was one of the names buzzing in the transfer rumor mill. There were teams interested in taking him in such as Marseille and Inter. But the former seems to be more interested in getting Giroud with Rudi Garcia admitting he tried to lure the French national to Marseille and then Lyon. However, he feels the 33-year-old is in the best place he can be right now with Chelsea.
"I called Olivier when I was in Marseille, I also called him when I was in Lyon," Garcia said. "But he is good at Chelsea."
Of course, the story could be different next summer. It remains to be seen if other clubs will still try to take him in. But as early as now, it appears the Lyons may try to lure him again for free.
Until that time comes, Giroud needs to prove his worth. He gets that chance on Sept. 14 when the Blues face Brighton.
