Frank Lampard will have crunch talks with unhappy Olivier Giroud ahead of the January transfer window – and will tell him: “I want you here.”
Striker Giroud has admitted he may have to leave Chelsea in the January transfer window as he has found opportunities hard to come by with Tammy Abraham in excellent form.
Abraham has scored eight goals in nine Premier League outings, while World Cup winner Giroud has started just one game and is yet to score.
Giroud was an unused substitute as Chelsea won 1-0 at home to Newcastle United on Saturday.
“I had a good chat with Ollie before the international break,” boss Lampard said of 33-year-old Giroud.
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“I always respect all the players, but particularly players of that age. I love his professionalism.
“He was bang-on when he spoke to me, with what he said when he was away with France. He shouldn’t be happy and accept not playing. That’s what good players do.
“As I said to Ollie, he will get his games and be a big influence for us. At the moment, because of how Tammy is playing, there hasn’t been the minutes for him.
“I will happily sit down with Ollie in January.
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“But January is a long way away. I don’t want him to go, he’s a big part of the squad.
“Tammy has been producing but I will sit down with Ollie because I respect him. I want him here.”
Giroud joined Chelsea from Arsenal in January 2018, and said he wouldn’t be afraid to move again if he does not get enough game time.
After scoring twice for France during last week’s international break, Giroud said: “Chelsea is my priority, but if in the end I’m forced to make a choice, I will do it as when I left Arsenal.”
