TEXT Maniacs
Oli tells Blues boss he is ready to give his all
OLIVIER GIROUD has told Frank Lampard he is ready to play every game to help Chelsea solve their striker crisis.
The French World Cup winner made only his eighth appearance of the season on Monday night, once again coming off the bench, as Chelsea lost 2-0 at home to Manchester United.
And Giroud, who saw a potential move to Inter Milan break down in the January transfer window because Chelsea were unable to sign a replacement, provided a glimpse of why he could be key in the battle for Champions League qualification.
Giroud, 33, was unlucky to have a fine strike cancelled out by VAR as he was fractionally offside.
He had made no secret of his desire to move to keep alive his chances of making the France squad for Euro 2020.
The 33-year-old said: “I was about to leave. I found myself between two camps. But I am a Chelsea player. I want to give everything for the team.
“My personal target is to play as much as I can so I can play in the Euros. That is massive for me. Now I am 100 per cent focused on Chelsea and their targets.
“I want to keep fighting and get back on the score sheet. Every single game is a big opportunity for me to show my desire to come back.”
Giroud has started only three games all season, scoring once.
But with top scorer Tammy Abraham battling with an ankle injury and doubtful for Saturday’s game against Tottenham, and Michy Batshuayi badly out of form, Giroud could be the answer for Lampard.
He said: “After two months without playing I felt very good, with a lot of energy and determination, and I scored a nice goal from a nice cross.
“I tried to stay behind the defender but I was offside by about half a foot. That is very frustrating because it could have changed the game.”
Batshuayi wasted three clear-cut chances and several other good opportunities.
In 19 appearances this season, most of them from the bench, the Belgian has notched six goals. But his wastefulness against United showed why Lampard prefers Abraham.
Chelsea have won only one of their last six league games, with Lampard’s young team looking like they have run out of steam.
In addition, a small squad, which was not enlarged in the January window, has been ravaged by injuries.
Christian
Pulisic
Callum
Hudson-Odoi are also doubts for
Saturday and
N’Golo Kante limped off on
Monday with an adductor injury and is probably out. and
TEXT DSSPORT followed by a space, then your name and comment, and send to 85525. Texts cost 25p plus your standard network rate. 18+ only SP: Spoke, 0333 202 3390
■
Clive Sweeney (the plastic Manc) you really are a pathetic individual. Your text saying well done UEFA for banning Man City for two seasons. Why can’t Man Utd win the Prem League on their own merit? And why don’t you become a proper supporter and go and support the Shrimpers. FLOYD the Hammer
■
See the city cheats have been banned from Europe eh! Good! This means all these trophies they’ve won are tainted.
Frank teb
■
There is hope for Man City, look when West Ham Tevez fiasco. They should have been docked points and relegated, cheats do prosper sometimes. Jimi Peters NCFC
■
In the Norwich/ Liverpool game the ref was very picky in some of the decisions. Checking the position of the ball in the quadrant. Looking for the exact position for the ball in free kicks etc. How did he fail to see VirgilVD taken out by the two centre backs in the penalty area?
Pammieglos
■
If Luton can stay up it will be a minor miracle but we have given ourselves hope in recent weeks. Back-to-back wins means we must believe. Well done Graeme Jones, I didn’t think I would be saying that. Happy Hatter
■
I see Graham Westley has stood down at Stevenage. No surprise. The man is a disaster.
Mal the Claret
■
VAR is taking the rules of football to a ridiculous level. There are signs at the local football pitch warning of penalties for dog fouling. Duffy
■
Re. Jake Livermore stamp on Ribeiro Saturday. Been in Premier League and VAR would have sent him off. Championship – no booking. What a joke.
Pete nffc
■
City fans can whinge as much as they like. Your club is corrupt and been caught with its pants down. You should be relegated two divisions at least as well. The Salford rocket