Chelsea will let Olivier Giroud leave in January, according to the Daily Mail. The striker has had a disappointing start to the season, being third choice since Frank Lampard arrived to take over the reins at Stamford Bridge.
The Frenchman has only scored once this campaign in seven-appearances. Academy graduate Tammy Abraham, and Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi are both ahead of the former Arsenal man in the pecking order.
Giroud did get a chance on Saturday, but many felt he misfired in the Blues’ 1-0 defeat to West Ham. Although in all fairness, a lack of game time contributed to the lacklustre performance.
Since his move to West-London nearly two-years-ago, the 33-year-old has scored a total of 19-goals in 70-appearances. His most notable contribution was last season, as he netted 11-times on the way to Europa League glory. The victory was topped off by Giroud opening the scoring in a 4-1 win against former club Arsenal, in Baku last May.
The former Montpellier man will see his contract end next summer. But a move in January could end the frustration early.
Giroud has served Chelsea well, however, in reality he was only ever a stop-gap signing with Alvaro Morata misfiring at the time.
Whether the Blues will replace Giroud depends on the outcome of their appeal to CAS to overturn a two-window transfer ban. A decision is set to be reached at the end of this month.
The France international won’t be short of suitors. Ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte was recently linked with being reunited with the striker at Inter Milan.
Blue is the colour
