France national team manager Didier Deschamps has defended his decision to keep faith in Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud.
Despite not starting a game across any competition at club level since August, the former Arsenal ace is in the World Champions' squad for Euro 2020 qualifiers against Moldova and Albania.
This particular selection has prompted wondering eyes from Arsenal as well as Manchester United fans, but Deschamps has insisted that Giroud is worthy of his place in the squad.
"Maybe that means something but it's mostly what happened on the pitch that means something," Deschamps told a press conference. "If he is the one I used the most, do not forget either the ratio of matches and goals.
"There are not many in front of him in terms of goals in the history of the France team. He did the right thing, he answered the trust."
Giroud's call-up means there's no place in the squad for Manchester United's Anthony Martial who has hit the ground running since returning from a long injury lay-off.
And the Red Devils remains in Deschamps' thoughts ahead of next summer's tournament.
"He was part of the French team on a regular basis, but recently he was often injured," Deschamps added.
"He came back not so long ago and it's going well in his role as a central striker with Manchester United. For a long time he's been part of the players likely to be called up."
This could be taken as a warning to the Blues star as Martial is flourishing in the centre-forward role under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
In order for Giroud to ensure his place in Deschamps' squad for Euro 2020 - should Les Bleus qualify - is secure then he will almost certainly need to be playing regularly during the second half of the season.
Speaking last month about if he's prepared to leave Chelsea in order to do so, the 33-year-old hinted at making a decision in the January transfer window.
"I'm going to fight for my place in Chelsea. The coach knows it. And we will make the decision in January," Giroud said, as per Goal. "If I want to leave Chelsea? Not necessarily. But if I need to make a choice.
"I have some beautiful years in front of me. I'm 33, I still have legs and a good healthy lifestyle and I feel good physically.
"I want to have fun and want to play more games. Chelsea is my priority, but if in the end I'm forced to make a choice, I will do it as when I left Arsenal.
"[Lampard] will almost certainly watch the matches. In any case, I am going back to Chelsea pumped up."
