“He offers aerial threat but doesn’t have the pace”; “His finishing is frustrating”; “He fails to perform under pressure;” “He lacks consistency.” If you’re a soccer fan, you’ve probably heard these comments being tossed around about Olivier Giroud. The soccer community, especially Chelsea supporters, are well aware of Giroud’s tumultuous journey during his three-year stay at Stamford Bridge. In the latter half of the 2017-18 season, Antonio Conte benched Giroud for Alvaro Morata; in the 2018-19 season under Maurizio Sarri, Argentinian Gonzalo Higuain was the number one pick. Since 2019, Frank Lampard has opted with 23-year-old Tammy Abraham, making Giroud Chelsea’s eternal second-choice striker.
So it was rather encouraging to see Oliver Giroud deliver a solo performance without caveat against Julen Lopetegui’s Sevilla FC––his first start since September’s Carabao Cup. The Frenchman completed a perfect hattrick (left-foot, right-foot, header) and fired a spot-on penalty into the top corner as Chelsea thrashed Sevilla 4-0 to remain on top of the Champions League Group E table with a game to spare.
Here’s what’s ironic: Giroud can hardly get a game at Chelsea (played less than 1000 minutes in 2019/20 Premier League season) yet remains a regular pick in Didier Deschamps’ #2-ranked France squad over elite players, including four-time Champions League winner Karim Benzema, five-time Bundesliga champion Kingsley Coman, and Manchester United ace Anthony Martial. Rumors started to spread about Giroud departing London this winter in a bid to cement his place on the French national team for the upcoming European Championship, yet after his exceptional performance in Seville, Giroud reiterated that he wanted to stay at Chelsea for the remaining season with sufficient playing time.
Though often overlooked, Olivier Giroud is arguably the best target man in world football, utilizing his large 6’3’’ frame to secure possession and free up fellow attackers. The Frenchman was crucial in growing Eden Hazard’s impact on Chelsea and Alexis Sanchez’s influence on Arsenal. Hazard and Sanchez, both world-class wingers, love to cut in from the left-hand or right-hand side and strike the ball outside the six-yard box. While their majestic shooting skills deserve credit, Giroud consistently created the attacking opportunities by securing long passes and dragging out the opposing defenders. Moreover, Giroud’s hold-up play, an intentional dribble into space to delay until support can arrive, is often second to none. Upon receiving a pass, rather than going for goal, he buys time and lays off a perfect through-ball to the sprinting wingers. The statistics also show Giroud’s role in unleashing Hazard in the 2018-19 Premier League season. In the seven league games Giroud started, Hazard scored six times, meaning 37.5% of Hazard’s league goals were netted while starting alongside Giroud (it happened just 21.2% of Hazard’s league appearances). Following a 4-1 victory against Cardiff City, the Belgian forward said: “Olivier’s a target man, maybe the best in the world. When he gets the ball, he can hold the ball and we can go in deep with him, so for us it’s a pleasure to play with him.” Likewise, while Giroud didn’t score at the 2018 World Cup, he remained a starting figure in France’s World Cup-winning squad, contributing to Antoine Griezmann’s goals and breakout performance during the campaign.
While Giroud deserves credit for his world calls hold up play, one must not forget his finishing abilities. In a recent match against Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur, while Tammy Abraham has been critical with his finishes thus far, Chelsea had to settle with a disappointing goalless draw as the British striker failed to win aerial duels and squandered the opportunities created by deadly crosses from the sides. Winning these intense matches are crucial for the title race, and finishing––one of Giroud’s greatest strengths––will be essential for Lampard’s side moving forward. In the Premier League, he has scored more headed goals (31 out of 87 goals) than any other player since his 2012 Arsenal debut. Often in attacks, Giroud initially backs up to beat the offside trap, then rushes in between the defenders, creating enough room for a threatening header. Yet, his heading ability is not his only forte. Against Sevilla FC, notably, the second goal was Messi-esque––quick short steps and faultless touches before a classy chip over the keeper. It’s the type of quality goal that you expect from small agile players, not a towering man with the likes of Giroud. Following the world-class performance, Lampard kept the 34-year-old veteran in the starting lineup against Leeds United, and it paid off brilliantly. Though a frustrating start with Leeds’ Patrick Bamford netting the first goal, the Blues were quick to respond; Giroud intelligently positioned himself between the defenders and extended his lower body to convert right-back Reece James’ cross into a much-needed equalizer before the half-time whistle. With the ability to win aerial duels and consistently find goal scoring opportunities around goal, Giroud should find a way into Lampard's future plans.
During his seven seasons at Arsenal, Giroud’s tally of 105 goals in 253 appearances gifted the team with success in multiple FA Cup and FA Community Shield campaigns. At the international level, he has 44 goals for his country––making him France’s second-highest goalscorer––and has eyes on Theirry Henry’s record of 51. Giroud’s trophy cabinet is splendid, and it is odd that a career containing four FA cups, one Ligue 1 title, three English Super cups, the Europa League, and the World Cup is somehow undervalued; instead, it is one that deserves a thrilling denouement. And in the past few games, Giroud reminded the soccer world that he still carries a unique threat. So next time you criticize his lack of flashy skills or doubt his impact on the field, think again. You’ll be thankful you did.
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