Olivier Giroud may not be every Chelsea fan’s idea of the quintessential striker but he sure is effective at what he does.
Under Maurizio Sarri this season, the Frenchman has had to make do with a bit-part role and although his contract expires in June, Chelsea are keen to retain his services.
3
Chelsea are more effective when Giroud plays
First, he alternated for a starting berth with Alvaro Morata and, since January, he has had to play second-fiddle to Gonzalo Higuain.
Even Eden Hazard, a midfielder, has been preferred in the striking role ahead of the former Arsenal man.
LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS
However, he was recalled to the starting XI for the match against Brighton at Stamford Bridge and opened the scoring minutes before half-time.
It was only his second Premier League goal of the season, his first coming against Tottenham back in November and recent figures back up his claims for a more regular role in the team.
According to reddit.com, Chelsea have found the net more often per minute when he has featured.
3
Giroud scored just his second Premier League goal of the season against Brighton
The World Cup winner has played 789 minutes of football in the top-flight this season and Chelsea have scored 23 times, making it a goal every 34.3 minutes.
In that time, he has played 90 minutes just twice and started just seven league games.
But, without him, the Blues have hit the back of the net 31 times in 2091 minutes, which equates to a goal every 67.4 minutes, numbers which suggest Chelsea are actually better when he is playing.
It’s not too surprising either. Giroud has carved out a reputation as being more than just goals.
His failure to score last summer at the World Cup in Russia did little to hamper France, with his physical presence and link-up play considered key factors in helping them to win the tournament for a second time.
International boss Didier Deschamps knows he needs the forward to facilitate the performances of Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe.
3
Giroud assisted two of Hazard’s three goals against Cardiff
Back in September, Giroud had one of his best games in a Chelsea shirt and while he did not get on the score-sheet that day against Cardiff, he did assist two for Hazard, who netted a hat-trick in a 4-1 win and the Belgian praised his team-mate.
“Olivier’s a target man, maybe the best in the world; I think so,†said Hazard.
“When he gets the ball he can hold the ball and we can go in deep with him, so for us it’s a pleasure to play with him.
Maybe Sarri doesn’t quite think so right now but we’d suggest he may be the right man to get the Blues a top four spot thanks to his all-round displays.
Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha has told the club he wants to leave this summer. Sky Sports News understands Palace are reluctant to sell the winger but he has reiterated his desire to play
Wilfried Zaha tells Crystal Palace he wants summer transfer
Christian Eriksen: Manchester United told they will have to cough up at least £60m for Tottenham playmaker; Transfer news and football gossip: Leicester to 'break the bank' to sign Monaco's Youri Tielemans, Christian Eriksen to Manchester United, Premier League trio eye Adrien Rabiot
Transfer Window Gossip Round-Up - Read Premier League
May 12, 2019 · Manchester City became Premier League champions for the fourth time in eight seasons after coming from behind to win 4-1 at Brighton. Manchester City pip Liverpool to title with crushing win
Manchester City - Champions Again - Bitter and Blue
The Argentina Football Association (AFA) confirmed Tuesday that national team manager Lionel Scaloni has been released from a hospital in Mallorca after he was hit by a car while riding his bicycle.
Argentina boss Scaloni released from hospital after being hit
Champions League: Ajax run Spurs ragged in first-half blitz as Donny van de Beek goal earns semi-final advantage Donny van de Beek strikes early on for 1-0 win in semi-final first leg
Julian Brandt transfer: Tottenham and Liverpool target set to
A pair of Premier League sides will meet in the Europa League Final after clinching their respective spots on Thursday. EPL outfits Arsenal and Chelsea both advanced to May 29th's final, setting up a London Derby in Madrid. Following a 3-1 first leg home win over Valencia, the Gunners rolled to a
Chelsea v Arsenal in Europa League final after penalty shoot
Ex-Arsenal ace Emmanuel Frimpong destroys Granit Xhaka: 'I'd rather have a one-legged Ramsey' talkSPORT - 07 May 2019 Granit Xhaka struggled yet again as Arsenal's top-four hopes ended with a disappointing 1-1 draw with Brighton on Sunday.
Arsenal fans loved what Granit Xhaka's Switzerland did to
The key moments which led to the dismissal of Steve McClaren as QPR manager The duo are priced at 25/1 and 20/1 to take their old jobs at Loftus Road - while former Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic is also priced at 20/1. Here are the QPR next manager odds in full via SkyBet: Tim Sherwood 8/15. Mark Warburton 7/2. Gareth Ainsworth 5/1. Darren
QPR appoint Mark Warburton as Steve McClaren's successor on
Former Celtic kitman James McCafferty has been jailed for almost seven years after admitting a string of historic sexual offences against young boys. The 73-year-old, of Lisburn, Northern Ireland, pleaded guilty to 11 charges related to paedophile..
Former Celtic kitman James McCafferty jailed for abusing
Arsenal and Liverpool take hit as it's revealed Ajax target
Norwich vs Blackburn live on talkSPORT 2: Full commentary, free stream, unusual kick-off time and line-ups All you need to know to tune into the action from Carrow Road By Marc Williams
Norwich vs Blackburn live on talkSPORT 2: Full commentary
Transfer news and football gossip: Eden Hazard's Real Madrid move scuppered, Divock Origi offered new Liverpool deal, Mesut Ozil set for Arsenal exit talkSPORT.com round up all the latest transfer news and football gossip from Thursday's papers and online…
Transfer news and football gossip: Liverpool monitoring USA
Chelsea manager latest: Frank Lampard and Nuno wanted by Blues if Maurizio Sarri is sacked Roman Abramovich has no intention of axing Sarri before the end of the season, however By Billy Hawkins
Chelsea manager latest: Frank Lampard and Nuno wanted by
No comments:
Post a Comment