UNSETTLED Olivier Giroud’s stoppage time winner put Chelsea into the knock-out stages and left Frank Lampard admitting: He’s given me a problem.
Giroud’s late header secured the win over Rennes to ensure qualification for the last-16 days after cast doubts over his Blues future because of a lack of game time.
Frank Lampard admits he has a selection dilemma after Olivier Giroud’s winner at RennesCredit: EPA
Lampard has preferred to use Tammy Abraham up front with Timo Werner on the wing in recent gamesCredit: AFP
The 34-year-old could seek a move from Stamford Bridge unless his opportunities improve and boss Lampard said: “I have a problem.
“I have Tammy who is playing well, and we know what he did last year. Oli, who always contributes in that way with that professionalism.
“That problem’s always been there, it’s not a fresh problem and when I say that it’s probably the wrong word because it’s selection issues for me and I need that.
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“We need it with the fact that we’re playing every three days, maybe at Christmas we’re playing every two days unless the scheduling get sorted out.
“It’s hard to say I won’t have to prove to him because all I have to do myself really is look at game by game myself and try and plan to get the best for us.
“At the moment Tammy’s in great form as well. So, I have to pick on face value what I see is the best for us.
“I have two players in a similar position that are fighting for a place – that is a good problem. Oli will get his minutes because we have a busy schedule.
“I think everybody kind of feels, from the outside as well, what a great professional he is and how highly regarded he is by his teammates and by myself.
“Her is so professional in how he trains and looks after himself. Age isn’t even a factor in him – I think he’s getting better with age if anything because of how well he looks after himself, so he offers a lot for us.”
Chelsea still need to finish the job by topping Group E to ensure they are in the seeded pot by the time the knock-out stage draw is made.
But the got the job done in France with Giroud’s late winner having been pegged back four minutes from time after leading through an excellent first-half striker from Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Lampard added: “I’m very happy to qualify with two games to spare. It was a really tough match, they’re a very good team.
“Their recent form doesn’t reflect how good they are, it was a tough hard-fought win.”
Chelsea fans in hysterics as Joe Cole tells Frank Lampard to give players a ‘smacked bum’ at half-time vs Rennes
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
