Chelsea FC Opinion – Chelsea should offer contract extension to Olivier Giroud
According to a report in Sun Football, Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud is hopeful that the club will trigger his one-year contract extension. The French World Cup winner’s contract runs out at the end of this season, but the Blues have an option to extend his stay by a year.
The 32-year-old would wait for the pre-contract offers, before leaving Stamford Bridge, hopefully, from his point of view, 18 months from now. Giroud was free to talk to other clubs in January, but he is eager and focused on getting another year at Chelsea. (Sun)
He has scored six goals this season but has been limited to only six starts in the league. And with Gonzalo Higuain brought in last month, the Frenchman may not even get the little share of starts he was getting in the first half of this campaign.
Most of his opportunities have come in the Europa League, and he even scored in the game against Malmo on Thursday.
While several clubs have shown interest in the 32-year-old (h/t Sun), here’s why Chelsea should offer him a contract extension and keep him at least till the end of next season:
Giroud is Chelsea’s perfect back-up option
It is clear that Maurizio Sarri would be looking to build the game around Higuain, and make the 4-3-3 formation tick with two wingers supporting the Argentine. However, having a back-up isn’t a bad thing at all.
Olivier Giroud has had a good record coming off the bench and scoring key late goals for the team. He did that for Arsenal before coming to Chelsea and has done that a few times here as well.
With him on the field, the Blues can get more direct in their build-up play and be more of a threat in the box with crosses coming in from wide areas. The Frenchman is different to Higuain, but is equally effective when plan A is sussed out by the opposition.
Conclusion
Chelsea’s recent form has been under-par, to say the least. Hence, qualification for the Champions League is in fine balance, or perhaps fading away in the league with the resurgence of Manchester United. Sarri’s plan A hasn’t worked in away games, especially at Bournemouth and Manchester City.
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He can change his tactics slightly by using Giroud in certain games and making the game physical. If the recent games are in evidence, the Italian would do well by keeping the Frenchman beyond the summer. Hence, Chelsea should offer the 32-year-old a contract extension.