God wanted me to stay at Chelsea
HOW GIROUD KEPT FAITH
OLIVIER GIROUD believes it was God’s will for him to stay at Chelsea.
The French World Cup-winning striker looked to be on his way out of Stamford Bridge, with Inter Milan having agreed terms and Tottenham also closing in.
Giroud barely figured in the first half of the season under
Frank Lampard, making only two starts in the Premier League up until January.
The 33-year-old needed games if he was to keep his place in the France side – and he wanted out.
Giroud said: “I very nearly left the club but I really think that God wanted me to stay at Chelsea. The manager told me that he couldn’t let me leave because he didn’t have anyone to replace me. The coach spoke to me privately and told me that he would give me more games.
“He kept his word and what then mattered to me was proving to him that he could count on me when I was called upon.”
An injury to Tammy Abraham provided the window and Giroud started five matches in a row, scoring in the 2-1 win over Tottenham and then in the 4-0 victory over Everton
He even kept his place when Abraham returned to fitness.
And then the coronavirus pandemic struck. He had done enough though to persuade Chelsea to take up the option to extend his contract by another year last month – and the Frenchman believes that he proved to Lampard that he was worth the gamble.
Giroud said: “We were up against Tottenham, one of our main challengers for a Champions League place. I played and I scored. I kept my place and then found the net again against Everton.
“I seized my opportunity and I repaid the faith the manager had shown in me. That’s why the club offered me the chance to continue my time at Chelsea, and I accepted immediately because I like it here. I want to keep winning trophies and I want to continue to show the manager that he can count on me.”
But, with the Covid-19 pandemic still raging across Europe, Giroud revealed he also did not want to expose his family to a risky move this summer.
He said: “With the whole coronavirus lockdown situation, I didn’t feel comfortable with the idea of moving abroad and uprooting my family. I think a lot about our quality of life and we have a great set-up here. I think a lot about my family now.”
Chelsea were back in limited contact training this week, and Giroud believes he and his team-mates are as safe as they can possibly be under the current restrictions.
He said: “We’re tested twice a week – it’s very strange but we have to respect the rules.”