Olivier Giroud must force Chelsea exit to secure his France place for Euro 2020 hints Deschamps

Didier Deschamps hints that Olivier Giroud must force Chelsea exit and find ‘another situation’ in order to secure place in his France squad for Euro 2020 finals

  • France striker Olivier Giroud has started just one match for Chelsea this season
  • He has seen little action in the Premier League and Champions League so far 
  • The 34-year-old was replaced by Anthony Martial for France against Portugal 
  • Didier Deschamps insists Giroud’s current situation at Chelsea cannot go on 

France boss Didier Deschamps believes Olivier Giroud will have to find a way to leave Chelsea in January if he hopes to make his Euro 2020 squad.

The 34-year-old striker has made just one start under Frank Lampard this season, which came in the eventual defeat by Tottenham in the Carabao Cup Round of 16 tie in late September.

His only goal for the Stamford Bridge outfit this season also came in the League Cup against Barnsley, but he has only played 33 minutes in the Premier League this campaign and seen just 27 minutes of Champions League action.

France boss Didier Deschamps has urged Olivier Giroud to leave Chelsea in January

Giroud has started just one game so far this season ahead of Euro 2020 in the summer

Giroud has started just one game so far this season ahead of Euro 2020 in the summer

And speaking ahead of France’s Nations League clash against Sweden on Tuesday night, Deschamps has urged the country’s second highest goalscorer to seek a move if he wants to improve his chances of adding a possible Euro 2020 title to his 2018 World Cup crown. 

‘Olivier Giroud knows it – the situation he’s in today cannot drag on forever. Before March he will have to find another situation than this one,’ Deschamps – a former Chelsea midfielder – told French radio station RTL.

‘I never give advice, I give an opinion. At the end of the day, it’s the player’s decision. He has had situations that have sometimes been complicated to deal with.

‘Today, it is not good for him. Will it stay the same or will it improve? It’s up to him. He knows what I think, even if I don’t forget everything he has done and everything he would still be able to do.’

Giroud was dropped in favour of Anthony Martial in France's win against Portugal on Saturday

Giroud was dropped in favour of Anthony Martial in France’s win against Portugal on Saturday

And Deschamps insists Giroud must play more regularly to be certain of making his squad

And Deschamps insists Giroud must play more regularly to be certain of making his squad

The comments come just a day after Deschamps warned Giroud he risks losing his regular starting berth to Manchester United forward Anthony Martial.

Giroud earned his 103rd international cap during France’s friendly defeat against Finland but was dropped for Martial in their Nations League win against Portugal on Saturday.

‘I make the choices that seem best to me for the France team,’ Deschamps said.

‘With Anthony, who is a good player, it allows us to have a little more depth.

‘Olivier has been affected, 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.

Giroud earned his 103rd international cap during France's friendly defeat against Finland

Giroud earned his 103rd international cap during France’s friendly defeat against Finland

‘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.’ 

Giroud was frustrated with his lack of playing time at Stamford Bridge last season, but after playing just seven times for the club in the first half of the season, he was rewarded with a new contract for the 2020/21 campaign by scoring seven goals in 12 games following the restart.

Giroud is France's second highest scorer of all time with 42 goals in 102 games for his country

Giroud is France’s second highest scorer of all time with 42 goals in 102 games for his country

In January he nearly left Chelsea, with Inter Milan interested in signing the striker, and it is now believed Giroud could arrange a Chelsea exit a year on when his contract has just six months left to run. 

He also faced adversity when Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined Arsenal six months apart in the 2017-18 season, which brought about the 34-year-old’s move to west London and subsequent role in France’s World Cup glory in Russia. 

Giroud has scored 42 goals in 102 games for France, and is only behind Thierry Henry for his country in terms of goals scored.

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