Didier Deschamps has suggested Olivier Giroud may need to leave Chelsea in order to retain his place in the France squad ahead of next summer's Euros.
Giroud, 34, has managed just one start for the Blues this campaign and has played a total of 33 minutes in the Premier League.
He was second-choice striker to Tammy Abraham last season but the arrival of Germany star Timo Werner has pushed him further down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
Giroud has scored 42 goals in 104 games for his country and played a vital role in France's 2018 World Cup triumph.
But he lost his place in the starting XI for the trip to Portugal on Sunday after he featured in the shock 2-0 defeat to Finland last week.
After the 1-0 win in Lisbon, Deschamps said Giroud was lacking "rhythm" due to his situation at Chelsea as he explained why Manchester United forward Anthony Martial started up front.
"I make the choices that seem best to me for the France team," Deschamps told reporters. "With Anthony, who is a good player, it allows us to have a little more depth.
Should Giroud aim to leave Chelsea in January to lock down his spot in France's squad for the Euros? Have your say here.
"Compared to Olivier, he has to be impacted, first of all with the situation he has at his club, knowing that he has a large frame and that he needs rhythm, it’s hard.
"That’s not why I want to lose him, it’s complicated, we’ll talk, but obviously he has every interest in it not lasting, for him, to remain competitive, but we must not forget what he did with us and what he is still able to do.
"Anthony has a different profile but one that gives options. Anthony, today, is more fulfilled and in better physical and psychological conditions, obviously."
Giroud's Chelsea teammate N'Golo Kante scored the winner against Portugal, tapping in after Adrien Rabiot's shot was parried into his path by Rui Patricio.
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