From the ashes, rises the phoenix
It’s the world cup year, when every player is searching for minutes to strengthen his position in his nation’s world cup squad, for Olivier Giroud it wasn’t looking bright despite him being Didier Deschamps’ number one preference alongside Antoine Griezmann, the striker descended into second string at Arsenal as their new signing Alexandre Lacazette took central stage. Meanwhile in south west London Chelsea were experiencing a horror phase with their dip in form, concerns about Conte’s future and Alvaro Morata’s injury, the Blues were in search for a second striker as Michy Batshuayi headed to Dortmund, their main target was Edin Dzeko who they have failed to agree terms with, another option was Andy Carroll who luckily for Chelsea got injured.
As Giroud was searching for minutes and a new challenge, Chelsea came in calling and on the last day of the January transfer window the Frenchman signed an 18 month contract, it took him a couple of games to settle in, but Conte’s side were in need of an inform striker as they were dropping points which were needed in the search for a place in next season’s Champions League. Chelsea started picking up their pace, and showed huge sign of improvement, and one reason behind that was the acquisition of Olivier Giroud, who provided Chelsea with more options when going forward despite his lack of pace.
The most common trait between Chelsea’s targets in the January transfer window was aerial threat, which in theory would function seamlessly with their offensive style of play due to their dependence on wing backs. The Southampton game at St. Mary’s is a prime example of the above as with Giroud’s introduction into the game Chelsea managed to comeback from two goals down to win the game as Giroud managed to score 2 of the 3, and as expected the first from a Marcos Alonso cross which the Frenchman headed into the net.
Chelsea’s next game was a trip to Turf Moor where they faced the league’s best performers outside the top six, Conte fielded an unusual formation with Giroud behind Morata, and Pedro operating as a midfielder/winger. Giroud’s unorthodox role was similar to a number 10 providing Morata with chances which the Spaniard failed to finish, albeit Chelsea managing to get their first back to back wins in 8 games. One of the reasons the French national team manger prefers Giroud is his link up play which enables the likes of Griezmann to excel, at Stamford Bridge his link up play in addition to his selflessness by moving into empty spaces helped Hazard mainly and Willian to a certain extent to be in more threatening positions rather than limiting them to only occupy the channels. Unfortunately for Willian this meant that Conte would sometimes prefer a midfield three with Kante, Fabregas and Bakayoko to free Hazard from his defensive duties, for him to provide the main threat as his understanding with Giroud grew. At Swansea, Giroud played as an aerial outlet for Chelsea to progress up the pitch with most of the balls supplied from Cesc Fabregas, this part of Giroud’s game wasn’t visible at Arsenal due to the Gunners’ preference of playing a higher tempo game up the pitch, which results in oppositions fielding a very deep defensive block.
Despite his lack of goals, Giroud offers Chelsea and the French national team a set of skills which enables them to have multiple variations of their offensive game plan, so including him in the French squad for the World Cup was no surprise after a brilliant second half of the season.
