Giroud Knocks Back Chelsea Bench Role
Olivier Giroud has refused to accept his bit-part role at Chelsea under Frank Lampard but has laid his manager off criticism.
Giroud has made just three Premier League appearances this season as Tammy Abraham continues to lead the line for Chelsea.
Abraham has struck nine times already in the campaign, making the England international virtually undroppable in Lampard’s starting eleven.
Despite Giroud’s lack of first team opportunities at club level, he has maintained his place in France manager Didier Deschamps’ plans and scored the only goal from the spot when the world champions beat Iceland 1-0 in the EURO 2020 qualifiers on Friday.
Asked how he accepted his position in the attacking pecking order at Chelsea, Giroud told Catholic magazine Le Pelerin: "Accept it? No, I do not accept it.
"You do not have to be fatalistic in certain situations. I have always been respectful and humble. Even if I do not agree with the coach, I do not criticise him.
"But in myself, I cannot accept it because I know what I'm worth on a pitch. Last year, when I felt I deserved to play, I asked the coach [Sarri] for explanations."
Giroud, who joined Chelsea from Arsenal in January 2018, signed a new one-year contract in May, but he has no regrets about leaving the Gunners.
"It was not easy to leave Arsenal for Chelsea two years ago. I loved Arsenal," added Giroud.
"But it was a progression because Chelsea is the English club that has won the most titles, with Manchester City, in the last 10 years.
"I had competitors in attack – Morata, Higuain – who ended up leaving. I won in the end: I played the final of the FA Cup in 2018 and the Europa League final in 2019.
"Once again, I'm starting the season in difficulty, but as my brother said, I have always grown in the face of adversity. Although I would like there to be less of it!"
