Giroud Thinks God Wanted Him To Stay At Chelsea

Oliver Giroud thinks Divine intervention kept him at Chelsea.

The French striker – who was looking to leave in January after falling behind Tammy Abraham and Michy Batshuayi earlier in the season – but he has seen a turnaround in his fortunes and even signed a one year extension on his contract.

He said:

“I very nearly left the club but I really think that God wanted me to stay at Chelsea.

“I was supposed to leave in the January transfer window because I wasn’t playing much and I needed more game time to make the France squad for Euro 2020.

“The manager [Frank Lampard] told me that he couldn’t let me leave because he didn’t have anyone to replace me.

“Everyone knows what happened so I won’t go back over it but the coach spoke to me privately and told me that he’d give more games.

“He kept his word and what then mattered to me was proving to him that he could count on me when I was called upon. I simply seized my opportunity and I repaid the faith that the manager had shown in me.”

The upturn in fortunes meant the 33-year-old star didn’t hesitate when he was offered a new deal.

He added:

“That’s why the club ultimately offered me the chance to continue my time at Chelsea and I accepted immediately because I like it here.

“I want to keep winning trophies and I want to continue to show the manager that he can count on me.

“Plus, with the whole coronavirus lockdown situation, I didn’t really feel comfortable with the idea of moving abroad and uprooting my family.

“I think a lot about our quality of life and we have a great setup here. I think a lot about my family now.”