Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has been forced to spend much of the campaign watching on from the bench as the Frenchman ponders his next career move.
However, on Tuesday night – fresh from manager Frank Lampard’s praise – the 34-year-old made a huge impact from the bench as he netted a late winner to give Chelsea all three points against Rennes and duly secure qualification to the Champions League knockout stages.
Giroud replaced Tammy Abraham with just over 20 minutes remaining and the Blues 1-0 to the good. Rennes equalised late on before the French striker popped up to steer a towering header into the net and send Chelsea through.
In recent days, there has been plenty of speculation surrounding the cultured target man, who is looking to earn his place in the France squad for next summer’s European Championships.
Giroud will undoubtedly hope his match-winning goal has put him back at the forefront of Lampard’s thinking as they return to Premier League action, a competition in which he has seen just 36 minutes of playing time this season.
Here’s how some Chelsea fans reacted to their veteran match-winner’s decisive moment…
Twitter: @ChelseaFC @_OlivierGiroud_ Giroud’s Redemption
https://t.co/5C1Q672HE7 (@penny___m)
Twitter: @ChelseaFC @_OlivierGiroud_ Determination is Giroud’s middle name. (@JowellynA)
Twitter: @ChelseaFC @_OlivierGiroud_ That’s why he needs to play more (@ForeverBlue_07)
Twitter: @ChelseaFC @_OlivierGiroud_ Frank needs to find a way to keep him in January! He is as essential as any one in this team . Come on #cfc (@PatelRon9)
Twitter: @ChelseaFC @_OlivierGiroud_ What a servant giroud has been
he literally sent us into the last 16 brings memories o… https://t.co/PSntbEcHRN (@KMurreh)
Twitter: @ChelseaFC @_OlivierGiroud_ Shouldn’t have had to but what a winner @_OlivierGiroud_ sensational as always (@gibbletts1)
