The French striker is adamant he should be in the Blues’ starting XI (Picture: Getty)

Olivier Giroud says he cannot accept his current situation at Chelsea, having fallen behind Tammy Abraham in the pecking order, but he does not regret leaving Arsenal for the Blues.

The Frenchman is increasingly playing a bit-part role at Stamford Bridge this season as manager Frank Lampard has put his faith in youngster Abraham, who has rewarded him with seven goals in the Premier League already.

He also netted in the Champions League away at Lille, and his strong form saw him called up to the latest England squad, coming off the bench against Czech Republic.

Abraham’s electric goalscoring form has seen him preferred to Giroud (Picture: Getty)

Giroud has been limited to just two starts in all competitions this season as a result, but – fresh from scoring for France against Iceland on Friday – feels he deserves a bigger role.




Asked about his current lack of game time at Chelsea, Giroud told Le Pelerin: ‘Accept it? No, I do not accept it.

‘You do not have to be fatalistic in certain situations. I have always been respectful and humble. Even if I do not agree with the coach, I do not criticise him.

‘But in myself, I cannot accept it because I know what I’m worth on a pitch. Last year, when I felt that I deserved to play, I asked the coach for explanations.’

Probed on his decision to swap the Emirates for Stamford Bridge, he continued: ‘It was not easy to leave Arsenal for Chelsea two years ago. I loved Arsenal.

Giroud scored France’s Euro 2020 qualifying winner from the spot away to Iceland (Picture: Getty)

‘But it was a progression because Chelsea is the English club that has won the most titles, with Manchester City, in ten years.

‘I had competitors in attack – Morata, Higuain, who ended up leaving. I won at the end: I played the final of the FA Cup in 2018 and the European Cup final in 2019.

‘Once again, I’m starting the year in difficulty, but as my brother said, I have always built myself in the face of adversity. Although I would like there to be less!’