Chelsea will consider allowing Olivier Giroud to leave the club in January as the Frenchman becomes increasingly frustrated with his lack of game time this season, according to The Athletic.
Giroud, who came on as a late substitute yet again for the Blues during their victory against Newcastle United on Saturday, has barely featured this season for Frank Lampard’s side and is believed to be seeking more regular opportunities ahead of the rescheduled Euro 2020 finals next summer.
With fellow strikers Timo Werner and Tammy Abraham performing so well ahead of the cultured Frenchman in the pecking order, Giroud has found chances to impress hard to come by at Stamford Bridge this term.
The 34-year-old recently spoke to French outlet Telefoot (via Gianluca Di Marzio) about his plight, saying: “At the beginning, I thought I would have an important role to help the team seen how previous season ended by helping club reach the Champions League, but now I don’t play often. I need a change, I will need to make a decision.”
The report claimed that Chelsea are ‘sympathetic’ to their striker’s situation and there is a ‘very good chance’ he could be allowed to leave in the upcoming window.
2018 World Cup winner Giroud is desperate to play his part once more for his national team in the summer but may have to seek pastures new in order to retain his place in a glittered French squad.
Plenty of clubs have been touted with interest in the experienced target man, including fellow Londoners West Ham as well as a possible reunion with former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte at Inter Milan.
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Should Giroud leave in January, all things considered, the experienced striker has turned out to be a worthwhile signing for the Blues given the £15.3m spent on him and the return of 29 goals in 95 games.
Realistically, barring an injury crisis, there is unlikely to be a change in the volume of game-time for Giroud under Lampard as Werner and Abraham firmly hold down the leading centre-forward positions at Stamford Bridge.
