OLI MUST PUT BLUES AHEAD OF LES BLEUS
Vicarage Road, 5.30pm
FRANK LAMPARD has told Olivier Giroud to put club before country after the World Cup winner failed to make Chelsea’s Carabao Cup side. The former Arsenal striker (above) has made only two starts this season and France coach Didier Deschamps has appealed for his leading striker to be given more game time.
Yet when Blues boss Lampard rotated his team against Manchester United in midweek, it was Michy Batshuayi who came on to replace Tammy Abraham.
All three will want to star at Euro 2020 next summer and need to impress their national coaches.
Lampard said: “It is difficult for me and for them but I have to pick the best squad for Chelsea.
“I have got three strikers to pick from and I have to make the choices. I can’t complain about any of their attitudes, but things will look different and that is where you need professionalism. Between those three I have had it from all of them.”
Giroud is out of contract in the summer and had been linked with a move to the MLS after the Euros.
But the Frenchman could seek a change in January – with Lyon linked with him this week – although Chelsea will not be able to replace him because of their transfer ban.
“I would always have a conversation with a player who says they don’t want to play for the club,” said Lampard. “We are not at that point yet so it is not one to discuss right now.”
Batshuayi has yet to start a Premier League game this season but netted a stunner against United. “He loves scoring goals,” said Lampard. “That might sound simple for a striker but I’ve seen some that don’t love it as much.”
Chelsea’s run of seven wins was ended by Marcus Rashford on Wednesday, and Lampard knows today’s trip to bottom club Watford could be just as dangerous.
He said: “We can’t underestimate a team that is hurting because they haven’t won for a while. They have every ambition to try to win this game.”