Giroud insists he’ll walk away from Chelsea if he’s not guaranteed game time
The Blues forward has started just seven times in the Premier League this season and is desperate to be given more responsibility
OLIVIER GIROUD’S patience is wearing thin after once again questioning Maurizio Sarri’s team selection and tactics.
And Chelsea’s French World Cup-winning striker, 32, has warned his manager he could walk away from the club if he is not given certainties about his game time.
Giroud was in a spiky mood ahead of tonight’s Europa League quarter-final second leg at home to Slavia Prague — where they lead 1-0.
It is a game Giroud is likely to start, having been flung down the pecking order once again this season with the likes of Eden Hazard and Gonzalo Higuain preferred in the league by Sarri.
Even nine goals and two assists in eight Europa starts have not been enough to persuade his Italian boss to make him the No 1 attacker.
And just the seven league starts this season prove that.
Giroud appears to be getting sick of playing second fiddle as he edges towards his final years at the top level.
Asked why his record in Europe is so good this season, the former Arsenal star said: “Because I have the most game time in the Europa.
Trust me I am very frustrated when I am not on the pitch but I don’t want to show it. I am not happy to play second choice.
Olivier Giroud
“When the manager gives me a chance to bring something else to the team, I try to give my best and I am fully committed.
“I have been efficient. It has worked up until now so hopefully I will get some more goals to get us to the final.”
Giroud admits talks with director Marina Granovskaia will be arranged as he plots his next move. He added: “Trust me I am very frustrated when I am not on the pitch but I don’t want to show it.
“I am not happy to play second choice so that’s why I have said next year I will need to have a more important role.
“I don’t know whether it will be here. I have no clue about that. I have to meet Marina, but obviously I’m happy to be here.
“The thing is I just want to enjoy it. It’s not because I’m 32 and have won the World Cup, because I don’t want to retire. I want to be the first-choice.
“They must talk to me before the end of the season.”
Giroud seemed to be riled by a suggestion Chelsea’s strikers are struggling to play in Sarri’s system.
He said: “I’d rather play with a No 10 around me — with a second striker. I’m not picking the team, though, so I have to adapt with respect.”
CHELSEA (likely): Kepa, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Christensen, Alonso, Kante, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek, Hudson-Odoi, Giroud, Hazard.
PRAGUE (likely): Kolar, Djimsiti, Ngadeu-Ngadjui, Deli, Boril, Sevcik, Kral, Traore, Stoch, Masopust, Olayinka