Chelsea finally got their striker on deadline day when they convinced Arsenal to part ways with Olivier Giroud for £18m and it came as a surprise to many.
With Arsenal bringing in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for a club-record fee from Borussia Dortmund also on deadline day, Giroud’s already limited opportunities in the Arsenal side we’re reduced further, forcing him to take his future into his own hands.
Giroud made his intentions to leave Arsenal clear and there was a great deal of interest in him, but Arsenal’s decision to sell to a direct Premier League rival did raise some eyebrows.
The 31-year-old is eager to secure a place in France’s World Cup squad later this year and needs to be playing regular football in order to do so.
In an interview with Telefoot in France, Giroud confirms he held talks with France manager Didier Deschamps about what he should do, and he confirms Deschamps advised him to leave Arsenal.
Olivier Giroud: "I spoke to Didier Deschamps about my situation. He did not tell me to join Chelsea, just to change club." (Téléfoot)
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) February 4, 2018
With Alvaro Morata sidelined with an injury, Giroud is set to feature for Chelsea tomorrow night for the first time when the Blues travel to Watford.
