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The 34-year-old Frenchman became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League by scoring four goals against Sevilla on Wednesday.
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard argued last week that veteran forward Olivier Giroud “is getting better with age.”
The Frenchman proved his point with an impressive performance at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuan on Wednesday night.
The 34-year-old became the oldest player in Champions League history to score a hat-trick before converting a penalty, which he himself had won, to seal a sensational 4-0 victory. which sealed the top spot in Group E for the Blues.
Giroud had entered the game having started only one game earlier this season. However, he now has six goals to his name, averaging one every 45.5 minutes.
“It was an incredible performance from Oli, scoring four goals at this level, against a really good opponent,” Lampard told reporters after the match.
“There was the quality of the goals, but also his contribution to the performance of the team, so it was good that he received a standing ovation when he left the field.
“I am delighted for him because he is the best professional, and I think he has shown it throughout his career. I also think that is why Oli has so many numbers for France and in the Champions League.”
“He wasn’t always a regular before I came here, but as soon as I walked in I could feel the positivity of him as a player, in terms of how he wants to train and how he wants to affect people, whether he starts or not.
“So it’s started a lot for us now and it’s been very shocking. He’s a great example for the younger players, but also for the guys who don’t always start, which happens a lot because we have a team of more than 20 players.”
Lampard has stated several times that he does not want to sell Giroud, but the forward has already admitted that he is concerned about his lack of playing time heading into next summer’s Euro Cup. In fact, he says he will seek a move during the January transfer window if his situation does not improve.
However, it is essential that Chelsea stay with Giroud, even if it means losing him for nothing when his contract expires at the end of the season. You will not be short of offers, that’s for sure.
Inter came close to signing him in the last winter window, but the deal fell through as the West Londoners were unable to sign a replacement. Lazio and Tottenham were also interested, but joining former Blues boss Antonio Conte at San Siro was always their preferred option.
Luckily for Lampard, Giroud ended up staying at Stamford Bridge. The World Cup winner scored seven goals in 12 appearances to help Chelsea qualify for the Champions League this season through a fourth place in the Premier League.
The competition for places has only intensified during the offseason, of course, following the arrivals of Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz. Additionally, a revitalized Tammy Abraham has staked her claim to the No. 9 spot with five goals and four assists.
Giroud, however, has now responded dramatically, arguing that he is Lampard’s leader with an excellent overall display in Seville.
Oli 🐐
– Ben Chilwell (@BenChilwell) December 2, 2020
“When you play Oli, you know what attributes you get,” explained the Blues boss. “He has great qualities to hold the ball, obviously, but also to convert the kind of passes that N’Golo Kante makes to the box.
“So it’s important that we have a lot of energy around him, people who can get away from him and support him. Because then you have a top-level player playing with quality and dedication.”
The importance of Giroud’s attitude certainly should not be minimized. Even in the run-up to the Sevilla game, midfielder Jorginho praised the forward’s influence on his teammates, who were delighted when he scored the winning goal against Rennes last week.
“I’m very happy because he deserves it for the person he is, the way he works every day, with a smile on his face and giving so much for this team,” the Italian international enthused.
“And it’s not just what he does on the field, but also how he’s in the locker room. When I saw the ball go in [against Rennes], I was so happy and even happier because it was Oli. Everybody loves him. He’s a good guy. “
Giroud, however, will always fight his corner, and in the best possible way.
He has made it clear that he wants more playing time at Chelsea and could not have made a more compelling case for inclusion in Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Leeds than a perfect hat-trick in the Champions League.
Lampard, then, has a massive call to make. He says it is “a big problem.” But if Giroud is back on the bench this weekend, it may only strengthen his determination to leave in January.
After all, he hasn’t just shown why Chelsea still needs him. He has also shown why he will continue to be an excellent signing for any top European team looking for a center forward.
As Giroud is demonstrating, age is just a number. Holding on to him, then, may be essential for Chelsea, but it certainly won’t be easy.
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