Hazard a bet that Giroud’s vital to Blues

A BIT of mockery went Olivier Giroud’s way for leading France’s attack through their World Cup-winning campaign yet failing to get a shot on target.

But the fact he played in every game showed how integral he was to the French cause.

There was talk in the summer that if Chelsea’s new boss Mauricio Sarri could sign Gonzalo Higuain the 31-year-old would be off-loaded.

But Giroud, who never lacks selfconfidence, had different plans. He knows he’s good enough to lead the Chelsea front line in a way it hasn’t been led since Diego Costa helped them to the title.

He proved it again on Saturday in the 4-1 defeat of Cardiff. He didn’t score but took the weight off Eden Hazard and set him up for two of his goals.

If, as Sarri believes, Hazard can score 40 goals this season, Giroud might be the man he needs to make it happen.