CHELSEA are reportedly willing to listen to offers for Olivier Giroud next month.
The French striker has been forced to play second fiddle to Tammy Abraham under Frank Lampard this season but failed to impress against West Ham on Saturday.
Chelsea are reportedly willing to flog Olivier Giroud in JanuaryCredit: AP:Associated Press
His Blues boss admitted the ex-Arsenal man was “off it” during the 1-0 defeat, and now the Daily Mail claim the Stamford Bridge club are ready to cash in.
And that will leave Michy Batshuayi as Chelsea’s only like-for-like cover for Abraham unless they successfully win their appeal to get their transfer ban overturned.
Giroud made his first start since August 18 against the Hammers, but he touched the ball just 21 times – with only three of those in the opposition box.
Lampard believes he can use Christian Pulisic as a false nine, and after subbing off Giroud last weekend, he was switched from the wing to a more central position.
The 33-year-old forward is out of contract at the end of the season and will be available on a free transfer.
But needing game time to secure his place for France at Euro 2020, the veteran could be off with alleged interest from several of Italy’s Serie A clubs.
Giroud joined Chelsea in January 2018 and has scored five goals in 45 Premier League matches, but he did enjoy a prolific return of 11 goals to help the Blues win last season’s Europa League.
Lampard said of the striker on Saturday: “It was a difficult game for him.
“He didn’t get enough of the ball and then the couple of chances he had didn’t go in for him.
“It was a tough match for him but he wasn’t the only one who came into the team and the performance was slightly off it. It was not the easiest game.”
Chelsea are next in action tomorrow when Aston Villa head to the capital.
Chelsea vs Aston Villa FREE: Live stream, TV channel and kick-off time for Premier League clash
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
