Didier Deschamps warns Olivier Giroud he must find a ‘rhythm’ at Chelsea or risk losing his place to Anthony Martial after lack of minutes under Frank Lampard this season
- Olivier Giroud has been issued a warning over his lack of playing time at Chelsea
- France manager Didier Deschamps favours Man United regular Anthony Martial
- Deschamps insists Giroud must find a ‘rhythm’ at club level to feature for him
- Giroud has featured just three times for Chelsea this season due to new arrivals
France manager Didier Deschamps has warned Olivier Giroud that he must secure more minutes at club level and find a ‘rhythm’ at Chelsea.
The Blues striker earned his 103rd international cap during France’s friendly against Finland, but failed to find the net as Deschamps’ side lost 2-0.
As a result, Deschamps chose to start Manchester United regular Anthony Martial ahead of Giroud in their Nations’ League 1-0 triumph over Portugal on Saturday.
Olivier Giroud (above) has been issued a warning over his lack of playing time at Chelsea
As it stands, Giroud has featured just three times for Chelsea this season due to the arrival of new attacking talents Timo Werner and Kai Havertz at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking of his decision to select Martial over the Chelsea man, Deschamps told the press conference: ‘I make the choices that seem best to me for the France team.
‘With Anthony, who is a good player, it allows us to have a little more depth. Compared to Olivier, he has to be impacted, first of all with the situation he has at his club, knowing that he has a large frame and that he needs rhythm, it’s hard.
France manager Didier Deschamps insists Giroud must find a ‘rhythm’ at club level to feature
Deschamps Manchester United regular Anthony Martial (middle) – playing him ahead of Giroud
‘That’s not why I want to lose him, it’s complicated, we’ll talk, but obviously he has every interest in it not lasting, for him, to remain competitive, but we must not forget what he did with us and what he is still able to do.
‘Anthony has a different profile but one that gives options. Anthony, today, is more fulfilled and in better physical and psychological conditions, obviously.’
This is not the first time Giroud’s place in the national squad has come under threat because of his lack of playing time at club level.
Giroud found himself in a similar position at Arsenal three seasons ago when his 2018 World Cup spot was at risk due to the signing of Alexandre Lacazette at the beginning of the previous season.
Giroud has played three times for Chelsea this season due Timo Werner and Kai Havertz arrival
Giroud found himself in a similar position at Arsenal due to the signing of Alexandre Lacazette
With the additional arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a club-record deal, Giroud decided to leave the Gunners and move to Antonio Conte’s Chelsea to revive his international career.
Such a move saw Giroud firm up his place in Deschamps’ side and star the following summer as Les Bleus lifted the World Cup title in Russia.
Therefore, it is believed Giroud could arrange a Chelsea exit this January when his contract has just six months left to run.
Inter Milan are said to be one of the teams interested in signing the experienced forward.
