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SEVILLE, Spain (Reuters) – Chelsea youth should look to Olivier Giroud as a shining example of professionalism, coach Frank Lampard said after the 34-year-old Frenchman scored four goals in Sevilla’s 4-0 demolition of La Liga. of Champions on Wednesday.
Giroud, who has battled for playing time at Stamford Bridge this season with a plethora of quality new signings available for Lampard, made the most of an unusual start with a classic display that left his boss purring.
“He’s the best professional,” Lampard said after Chelsea secured first place in Group E with a match to spare.
“He is not always a regular, but his performances have shown that he is a great sign for young players to continue training well. It was an incredible performance, scoring four goals in the Champions League is a fantastic achievement.
“It was a complete performance and I’m delighted for him.”
At 34 years and 63 days, Giroud became the oldest player to score a Champions League hat-trick and also the oldest to do so in the European Cup since the former Hungarian great Ferenc Puskas. did in September 1965 with Real Madrid against Feyenoord.
It was the second time the French forward had scored four in a game in his career, but the previous occasion will seem like a distant memory, as he arrived in the French second division for the Tour against Arles-Avignon in 2009.
Giroud acknowledged that he had a memorable night against Europa League champions Sevilla, who were fortunate not to have lost by a greater margin to the wild visitors.
“When I’m on the field, I try to enjoy it,” he said.
“I try to be patient and keep the faith, I just try to give something more to the team. Sometimes you feel like anything can happen and tonight was one of them. “
Written by Zoran Milosavljevic; Edited by Toby Davis
