Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud is admittedly open towards a move to Lyon in the summer transfer window, having seen his role reduced this season.
In an interview with French outlet Footmercato, Olivier Giroud has confessed that he would like to play for a club that will offer him more regular game time than he is currently receiving at Chelsea. To that end, the 32-year-old striker has admitted that he would be open to returning to France, with a move to Lyon a possibility.
Giroud joined Chelsea from London rivals Arsenal last year, having spent a fruitful five-and-a-half years with the Gunners, wherein he won three FA Cup titles. The move across the British capital has not exactly panned out well for the Frenchman, who has continued to remain a bit-part player over the last 15 months or so.
In fact, Giroud has only managed to start 20 percent of the Premier League games for Chelsea this term, having largely been restricted to being a starter in the UEFA Europa League. In Europe, the player has proven to be a consistent figure, having managed a splendid return of 9 goals and 2 assists in 9 outings.
But, apart from receiving game time in second-tier matches, it is evident why the French international might be growing frustrated at Stamford Bridge. January signing Gonzalo Higuain has usurped him as expected. But, it is Maurizio Sarri’s preference of Eden Hazard over him that would be more damning.
Giroud has now admitted that he would “like to feel important again”, suggesting that he wants to leave Chelsea in the summer transfer window. And, in the interview with Footmercato, the 32-year-old also alluded towards possibly joining Lyon.
“I want to become important again. We can imagine a return to France, we do not know what the future will hold for us. This is not the priority at the moment, but I will be open to all proposals because I am happy when I play. Lyon was mentioned because the president talked about it.”
“I know what he is saying and I am very happy with the interest of some French clubs in my regard. It’s a club with very good young players, very good players, a very good staff. On the international scene, we saw good matches from Lyon against [Manchester] City, or against Barcelona, even if the return was more difficult.”
Lyon have proven to be one of the most exciting attacking outfits in France this season. But, Les Gones only have one recognised striker in Moussa Dembele, with the likes of Maxwel Cornet and Memphis Depay playing through the middle if required. With that in mind, the addition of Giroud could be just what the doctor ordered for Bruno Genesio.
In the Chelsea forward, Genesio will have a cultured striker who has prior experience in Ligue 1, having finished the 2011-12 season as the league’s top scorer, when he was with Montpellier. It now remains to be seen if Lyon make their move for Olivier Giroud, who is keen on securing more game time next season onwards.
