---
title: "Chelsea Fans Praise Olivier Giroud’s Impact From The Bench"
canonical: "https://readchelsea.com/2020/11/25/chelsea-fans-praise-olivier-giroud-impact-goal-rennes/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Chelsea News"
published: "2020-11-25T10:00:59Z"
modified: "2020-11-25T10:00:59Z"
---

# Chelsea Fans Praise Olivier Giroud’s Impact From The Bench

[Chelsea](https://readchelsea.com/2020/11/25/rennes-chelsea-player-ratings-champions-league/) striker [Olivier Giroud](https://readchelsea.com/2020/11/24/chelsea-could-let-olivier-giroud-leave-in-january/) has been forced to spend much of the campaign [watching on from the bench](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/olivier-giroud/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/82442/saison/2020/wettbewerb/GB1/verein/631)as the Frenchman ponders his next career move.

However, on Tuesday night – fresh from [manager Frank Lampard’s praise](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2020/11/23/frank-lampard-press-conference-injury-news-rennes-chelsea) – 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](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55047362) 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](https://www.skysports.com/football/rennes-vs-chelsea/439005) into the net and send Chelsea through.

In recent days, there has been [plenty of speculation](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/12139927/olivier-giroud-chelsea-striker-to-make-decision-on-future-in-january-but-frank-lampard-wants-him-to-stay) surrounding the [cultured target man](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1237687-10-things-you-need-to-know-about-olivier-giroud#:~:text=He'll%20Fit%20into%20Arsenal's%20Style%20of%20Play&text=Giroud%20is%20a%20technically%20adept,his%20teammates%20into%20the%20game.), 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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/olivier-giroud/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/82442/saison/2020/wettbewerb/GB1/verein/631) this season.

Here’s how some Chelsea fans reacted to their veteran match-winner’s decisive moment…

> Twitter: @ChelseaFC @\_OlivierGiroud\_ Giroud’s Redemption ![💙](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.0/svg/1f499.svg)![🙏](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.0/svg/1f64f.svg) 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![😭](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.0/svg/1f62d.svg)![😭](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.0/svg/1f62d.svg)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)