Announced at the start this winter, due to a clear lack of play since the start of the season, Olivier Giroud seems to be reliving in recent weeks at Chelsea. Put on the sidelines from November to mid-February by his trainer Frank Lampard, the 33-year-old French international regains the field and confidence. He returned to this period in an interview with Téléfoot.
Absolutely superb from @_OlivierGiroud_ to give us the lead against Spurs! 💥🎯 pic.twitter.com/53FlrPwJ7L
- Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 22, 2020"I saw myself elsewhere, to be honest with you," explains the number 9 of the Blues, who thought he was going to Italy this winter before being retained by Chelsea. I lived six complicated months. That's why I tried to leave in January. I did everything for. In the end, with the circumstances, Chelsea did not want to let me leave because the sine qua non condition for my departure was to have a replacement. I was stuck. "
In negotiations with Inter Milan and Lazio Rome, Giroud was even approached in France. “I had President Aulas on the phone, who expressed his interest to me. I simply told him that I was flattered by Lyon's interest, but that my priority was on Inter. However, due to the lack of an alternate found by his club, the Frenchman had to resign himself to staying in London.
Impeccable and professional
"I didn't want to get in my way by putting my coach on my back, so I stayed pro"
His hectic winter transfer window, his end of the season and his future in Blues: Olivier Giroud spoke exclusively to Telefoot, in an interview to find on Sunday pic.twitter.com/i88dm9twOj
"I knew I shouldn't start going on strike, or put the souk in the club, the locker room," he said. First because it is not me, but also because I knew there was a good chance that I would stay at Chelsea. That is why I remained flawless, pro to the end. It was hard. "
"I have a lot of hope"
In the end, it may have been bad for good. Decisive scorer in the success of the Blues against Tottenham, on February 22 (2-1), he has been tenured four times in a row. “It was the right choice. It wasn't my choice, but I would say it was fate, he observes. Above all, the coach, who had promised me more opportunities to play, kept his word. And I took my chance. "
A chance which should, a priori, take him to the Euro this summer. "If it takes place," jokes Giroud, referring to the cancellations of sporting events due to the epidemic of Covid-19. "It is always a disappointment when you are not called to the selection," said the former Montpellier. As long as the coach thinks I can bring something to the France team, I will be there. I have a lot of hope and I plan to do the job with Chelsea to be selected. ”
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Didier Deschamps must give, on March 19, his list of players summoned to face Ukraine (March 27) and Finland (March 31). In all likelihood, Giroud will appear there.