Giroud Issues Chelsea Quit Threat

By Max Wise

Olivier Giroud has cast doubt on his long-term Chelsea future after growing frustrated with a lack of Premier League minutes.

The former Arsenal striker has had to play second fiddle to Alvaro Morata and Gonzalo Higuain in the Premier League this season, but he has been productive in the Europa League where majority of his starts have come from.

Giroud has appeared 20 times in the Premier League this season, scoring one goal, but just six of those appearances have been from the start.

Giroud has however struck nine times in nine Europa league games to emerge as the top scorer in UEFA’s second club competition.

The 32-year-old scored a hat-trick in the Europa League against Dynamo Kiev on Thursday, and when asked if he would be willing to remain a role player due to his advancing age, Giroud snapped: "No. No chance. I'm a competitor.

"I'm 32 but I'm still young. I feel very well physically.

"When I do the tests on the treadmill I have to say that I have one of the best tests [at the club].

"I have the motivation to carry on. Some of the boys asked me why I didn't retire with the national team after the World Cup.

"But I'm still hungry and I know how much I will miss football after my career.

"I want more and more. I think I have a few nice years in front of me."

"For me the Premier League is great, it is my favourite league. Now we don’t know about the future – who can say? We’ll see."

Giroud, who joined Chelsea from Arsenal in January 2018, has not started a Premier League game since December 30 against Crystal Palace.