Chelsea: Why Olivier Giroud is one of the Blues’ most important players this season

Chelsea: Why Olivier Giroud is one of the Blues’ most important players this season
Olivier Giroud may not be every Chelsea fan’s idea of the quintessential striker but he sure is effective at what he does.Under Maurizio Sarri this season, the Frenchman has had to make do with a bit-part role and although his contract expires in June, Chelsea are keen to retain his services.3

Chelsea are more effective when Giroud plays

First, he alternated for a starting berth with Alvaro Morata and, since January, he has had to play second-fiddle to Gonzalo Higuain.Even Eden Hazard, a midfielder, has been preferred in the striking role ahead of the former Arsenal man. However, he was recalled to the starting XI for the match against Brighton at Stamford Bridge and opened the scoring minutes before half-time.It was only his second Premier League goal of the season, his first coming against Tottenham back in November and recent figures back up his claims for a more regular role in the team.According to reddit.com, Chelsea have found the net more often per minute when he has featured.3

Giroud scored just his second Premier League goal of the season against Brighton

The World Cup winner has played 789 minutes of football in the top-flight this season and Chelsea have scored 23 times, making it a goal every 34.3 minutes.In that time, he has played 90 minutes just twice and started just seven league games.But, without him, the Blues have hit the back of the net 31 times in 2091 minutes, which equates to a goal every 67.4 minutes, numbers which suggest Chelsea are actually better when he is playing.It’s not too surprising either. Giroud has carved out a reputation as being more than just goals.His failure to score last summer at the World Cup in Russia did little to hamper France, with his physical presence and link-up play considered key factors in helping them to win the tournament for a second time.International boss Didier Deschamps knows he needs the forward to facilitate the performances of Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe.3

Giroud assisted two of Hazard’s three goals against Cardiff

Back in September, Giroud had one of his best games in a Chelsea shirt and while he did not get on the score-sheet that day against Cardiff, he did assist two for Hazard, who netted a hat-trick in a 4-1 win and the Belgian praised his team-mate.Oliviers a target man, maybe the best in the world; I think so, said Hazard.When he gets the ball he can hold the ball and we can go in deep with him, so for us its a pleasure to play with him.Maybe Sarri doesn’t quite think so right now but we’d suggest he may be the right man to get the Blues a top four spot thanks to his all-round displays.

---

Arsenal scout Brazilian midfielder. Arsenal have been linked with a move for Brazilian teenager Ramires. The 18-year-old midfielder, whose real name is Eric dos Santos Rodrigues, currently plays for Bahia in his homeland and is also said to be interesting Atletico Madrid.

---

Marcelo Bielsa trying to pronounce Ipswich and giving up after saying "Is-pwish" Thick Accent (Weblog) 16:49 29-Apr-19 1,200 New Season Ticket Holders TWTD.co.uk - Ipswich Town 16:45 29-Apr-19 'The real trophy is getting kids into the first team' - Lambert and Taylor on progress of Under …

---

Rangers hope to sign Everton midfielder Kieran Dowell in January to replace Ovie Ejaria, who cut short his Ibrox loan and returned to Liverpool last week. Ejaria, 21, joined Gers throughout the summer for the season, but has decided to go back to his parent club after failing to settle in Glasgow.
Kieran Dowell to Rangers - Steven Gerrard wants Everton

---

Nuno Espirito Santo has remained coy on Wolves' rumoured pursuit of Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham. The 21-year-old forward is currently on loan at Aston Villa, where a sensational run of goalscoring form has seen him become the Championship's joint-top scorer despite missing the first six games of the season.
Nuno does not rule out Wolves move for Tammy Abraham

---

Yaya Toure: Manchester City legend retires from football to move into coaching Friday, 10 May 2019 ( 3 weeks ago ) Former Manchester City and Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure has officially announced his retirement from football.
Former Man City Star, Yaya Toure Retires, Seeks Coaching

---

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo scored a stunning hat-trick during their Nations League semi-final against Switzerland on Wednesday to beat their opponents 3-1. Ronaldo scored one of his trademark
Portugal 3-1 Switzerland: 'Genius' Cristiano Ronaldo hat

---

Chelsea star Willian reportedly unhappy with one-year

---

FIFA 19 news: Manchester United stars Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford thrash Stormzy and Big Shaq in No Rules mode. on and off the pitch as the FIFA 19 World
EA Sports Announces 'FIFA 19' World Tour ft. Stormzy, A$AP

---

Porto vs Benfica live stream FREE: How to watch Portuguese derby without paying a penny What time does Porto vs Benfica kick off? Which TV channel is Porto vs Benfica on and can I live
Porto vs Schalke live stream FREE online: How to watch

---

Of the top six, Arsenal look to be in the best shape at present - all six sides are still to embark on pre-season tours - while Spurs and Manchester City still await the return of swathes of
Arsenal - Top News Sources - 26 May 2018
atomicsoda.com/arsenal/news/top-sources/26-may-2018/arsenal-v-qpr
New Arsenal kit in pictures: Mesut Ozil, Aubameyang, Hector Bellerin and more stars model 2018-19 Puma strip London Evening Standard - Tue May 22 1:41 PM Arsene Wenger says he quit Arsenal due to the 'impatience' with him - and winning Europa League wouldn't have mattered
Manchester United - All News Sources - 1 May 2018
atomicsoda.com/manutd/news/all-sources/1-may-2018
Arsenal ace makes shock injury return ahead of Man Utd clash - Mkhitaryan also in training Daily Express - Sat Apr 28 5:57 PM Manchester United and Manchester City to battle over £128m duo with both clubs scouting the superstars
News Archives - Daily Cannon
dailycannon.com/category/news/?filter_by=random_posts
Wednesday is injury day on Daily Cannon so let's take a look at the Arsenal squad and who is in, out and been shaken all about before our game at Swansea this weekend. Hector Bellerin has
27 July 2018 News Archive | Daily Mail Online | Daily Mail Online

---

Yeovil were relegated to the National League after throwing away a two-goal lead at Northampton on a dramatic day at the foot of League Two. The Glovers looked on course to boost their survival
League Two: Yeovil drop out of the Football League after

---

Fantasy Premier League tips: Transfer advice including Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City stars talkSPORT looks at the best changes you could make to your FPL team ahead of the upcoming
Fantasy Premier League tips: Transfer advice for Gameweek 38

---

Arsenal vs Tottenham: Ugly scenes at north London derby as fight breaks out The north London derby threatened to boil over as a mass brawl between Arsenal and Tottenham broke out following
Arsenal vs Tottenham: Ugly scenes at north London derby as

---

Manchester City 6-0 Watford: Ian Holloway 'horrified' by Hornets' suit and trainers combo at FA Cup final Ian Holloway says he was 'horrified' by Watford's suit and trainers combo at
FA Cup semi-finals: Man City v Brighton, Watford v Wolves

---