When asked about the fate of Olivier Giroud at Chelsea after the international break, Frank Lampard said that he was a vital part of the club going forward. If the Chelsea manager or anyone still had any doubts regarding Giroud’s capabilities, they have been silenced by his single-handed decimation of Sevilla.
“Four goals at this level and the quality of the goals, individual aspects from Olivier [Giroud] and team aspects in the first half, from back to front the team were great, amazing solo performance from Olivier,” Lampard told BT Sport.
“Olivier is reliable, full stop. Not just for us but his international goals for France, he’s up there with great French individuals, he’s got great statistics. I’m not too bothered about that in a way but I am bothered about what he gives us on the pitch.”
“There couldn’t be a team-mate there that the players are happier for because of the way Olivier is around the training pitch and in the games.”
Giroud became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League last night. He also became only the second player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League for Chelsea after Drogba. And only the Frenchman’s was perfect.
When asked about the possibility of Giroud continuing his brilliant form on the pitch through a start against Leeds in the league next, Lampard said:
“We’ll have to see – it’s a tight turnaround but it’s four goals in a game. It’s not just his performance but when you play him and utilise his strengths and his speed, there’s a real balance in the rest of the team.”
Considering that Werner and Abraham are also contesting a starting berth, the competition is no doubt difficult. However, Giroud now has the numbers on not one, but two occasions to back him up.
The 34-year-old is only seven goals behind Thierry Henry in becoming the all-time top scorer for France. If he manages to carry on this goalscoring form, it is certain that he will break Henry’s record in the days to come.
Lampard must give Giroud a chance to take the spotlight this weekend in the Premier League, to not only show his faith in the forward but to also help convince Giroud to stay at the club.
