OLIVIER GIROUD has been urged to quit Chelsea by France boss Didier Deschamps.
The 33-year-old striker has featured in just five Premier League games this season, not managing a goal in any of them
Olivier Giroud may need to leave Chelsea to save his France Euro 2020 dreamCredit: Reuters
He is behind Tammy Abraham and Michy Batshuayi in the pecking order.
With the European Championships coming up in June, Deschamps, who played for Chelsea himself in 1999-2000, has warned the striker that he needs “more playing time”.
Crystal Palace and Inter Milan are believed to be the two front-runners for his signature, with Atletico Madrid also sniffing around.
As Reported by Get French Football, Deschamps told L’Equipe: “Him like others, could be brought to move. His situation at Chelsea has not changed for two months.
“It would be better for Olivier, quite obviously, to go to a club where he receives more playing time.
“If he cannot have playing time at Chelsea, the idea is for him to be able to go elsewhere. That will be his decision.
“But I don’t know the opportunities that he has, the possibilities to have more playing time.”
Didier Deschamps admits he has spoken with Giroud about his lack of playing timeCredit: Reuters
SANCHO TO REPLACE GIROUD?
Giroud, 33, has struggled for game time since Antonio Conte snatched him from London rivals Arsenal nearly two years ago.
He has five goals in just 15 starts for Chelsea.
With Uefa cutting Chelsea’s transfer ban, they will be able to bring in new recruits from January 1.
Jadon Sancho is the biggest name being linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
That means they can afford to lose Giroud, who joined Chelsea for £18m in January 2018.
If they do not sell him now he will leave on a free transfer in June.
Deschamps went on to admit he has met with Giroud and that the forward knows he needs more game-time.
The former Arsenal man has netted 34 goals in 94 games for Les Bleus.
He added: “We caught up not that long ago. Like for each player, he decides.
“But he knows that the day-to-day at their clubs is what gets French national team players into the squad.
“He knows that. Up to him to decide based on the solutions in front of him.”
Chelsea ace Olivier Giroud wanted by Crystal Palace in transfer window with striker frustrated over lack of action
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
