I will take a beating to be with Eden

OLIVIER Giroud ended with five stitches in his head and bruises everywhere, but the Frenchman was happy to pay the price for the chance to play alongside Eden Hazard.

And the former Arsenal striker has urged Chelsea to tie down Hazard and Belgium team-mate Thibaut Courtois to new contracts as soon as possible because they are such “special” players.

Giroud and Hazard showed real promise as a partnership as they linked up from the start for the first time at Stamford Bridge on Monday for Chelsea’s 3-0 win over West Brom, which eased the pressure on manager Antonio Conte.

Giroud’s presence up front was a massive factor in Chelsea’s improvement after two straight defeats, the 31-year-old setting up the first of Hazard’s two goals with a lovely touch and causing problems for the Baggies’ defence in his hour on the pitch.

For his troubles, Giroud’s head was trodden on by Ahmed Hegazi and he got a nasty kick on the ankle from Jonny Evans.

But Giroud, the £18million deadlineday signing from the Gunners who many had seen as a cut-price stop gap, might prove to be a godsend for Conte.

“It’s simple to have a good understanding with Hazard because he smells the game, he smells the football,” said Giroud.

“We need to work on the relationship in training and then to do it in games. It’s easy for me, because the No10s play closer than those I might have played with in the past. It’s very important for our game.

“We could have been more efficient, Eden and I. He could have assisted me and I could have scored, but hopefully in the next game. Anyway, I am happy for him to score two goals.”

Courtois is close to signing a new £200,000-a-week deal, and talks have begun with Hazard over a contract worth £300,000 a week.

Giroud said: “They’re very special players. They’ve been here a few years now and done a great job at the club.

“They are very good on the pitch but they are good guys as well.

“It’s very important to keep that kind of player for their leadership. They showed their qualities again on Monday. Obviously we need to keep them.”

A battered Giroud limped off after just over an hour with Chelsea a goal up, and was replaced by Alvaro Morata.

“It’s been a while since I played regularly and that’s why I needed to move. I needed a new challenge and Chelsea was the perfect club,” said Giroud. “Chelsea have won more titles in the past 10 years than any other. I am back in the FA Cup and the Champions League and we are going to take the games step by step.”