Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has stated that he will provide more opportunities to striker Olivier Giroud if the striker applies himself in training, according to the Mirror.
The French star has been unhappy at Chelsea due to his lack of opportunities this season and was keen on a move away in the January transfer window. “It was nothing to do with the frame of mind, no,” the 46-year-old coach explained.
“But he has had a few days where a lot of scrutiny has been on him and around him. If he shows himself in training, because that is how I pick the team generally, then he will get his opportunities.”
Giroud is behind both Tammy Abraham and Michy Batshuayi in the Chelsea pecking order and has made just six appearances this season, four of them off the bench. (h/t Whoscored). The striker was linked with a move to Inter Milan but the Italians instead chose to finance a move for Christian Eriksen. Towards the end of the window, Giroud was keen on making the cross-city switch to Tottenham Hotspur.
Lampard had stated that the striker could leave if the circumstances were right. Unfortunately for Giroud, nothing materialized and he is now still at Chelsea after the window slammed shut. (h/t BBC)
Giroud’s predicament lies in his lack of game time likely costing him a spot in France’s Euro 2020 squad. At the age of 33, this will likely be his last major tournament at the international level and it is understandable that he is unhappy with his lack of playing time.
A move to Spurs would have provided the Frenchman with enough opportunities given Harry Kane’s absence due to injury. It is up to him now to show his professionalism and prove to Lampard that he can lead the line with distinction. With Abraham out injured and Chelsea lacking goals, Giroud can prove himself to both Lampard and Deschamps if he plays his cards right.