Olivier Giroud has fired a warning to Tammy Abraham and Timo Werner ahead of the battle for a starting spot in the Chelsea side next season.
Giroud enjoyed a significant u-turn at Stamford Bridge this season, netting important goals for the Blues as they pushed to secure a top-four finish and Champions League football.
The French World Cup winner was due to seal his deal in West London expire at the end of the season but penned a 12-month extension.
With Werner's arrival and Abraham already established as competition, Giroud may be considered as third in line for a starting berth but he has warned his teammates that he isn't just there to make up the numbers.
"When the teams play a defensive way against us, it’s not bad to have a tall striker like me that can make the link," Giroud told L'Equipe.
"But I am not naive. Werner hasn’t been recruited to sit on the bench. But I will do everything I can to give headaches to the coach when it comes to making his choice.
"Werner’s transfer is an additional motivation and it was inevitable that the club recruits a striker. Chelsea is a great club, that spends money to strengthen the squad, and I was expecting someone to come."
Giroud was also asked if he will extend his spell at Chelsea beyond the expiration of his deal next summer and left the door open for another renewal.
"I still have a year of contract here. If I stay here afterwards, that’s fine. Otherwise, it will be another challenge. But I can still play in a good league for two years. I don’t set any limits."
