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(Image: GETTY)

French hitman Giroud has found regular first-team opportunities extremely hard to come by under the Italian coach.

But after handing the World Cup winner a rare Premier League start against Brighton on Wednesday - and watching him score in the 3-0 victory - Sarri wants the club to give him a new deal.

Giroud, 32, is out of contract in June. However, the Blues have an option to extend his stay by another 12 months.

Chelsea boss Sarri, whose side host West Ham tomorrow night, said: "Yes, of course, I want him to stay.

"And I know the club have an option with him for another season, so I think he will remain.”

Whether Giroud, an £18million buy from Arsenal in January 2018, will be quite as keen to commit is up for debate.

He revealed last month he was unhappy constantly playing second fiddle to Sarri"s first-choice picks in attack.

Having been behind Alvaro Morata for the opening half of the campaign, Giroud, who has ten goals this season, is now struggling to get past on-loan Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain.

But Sarri believes the player"s desire is to stay at the club longer, adding: "Yes, I think so.”