Olivier Giroud has opened up the possibility of returning to France, admitting that Gonzalo Higuain‘s move to Chelsea has ‘darkened my future’ at the club.
The 32-year-old joined Chelsea in January 2018 but has struggled to cement a starting place in the side, having been largely deployed as a back-up forward.
And since helping his country win the World Cup in Russia last summer, the Frenchman has netted just once in the league for Chelsea this season.
With Higuain signing for Chelsea on loan last week, Giroud’s chances of game time look slim – something the forward acknowledged before the club’s latest recruit had even stepped through the door at Stamford Bridge.
“I will never make people unanimously satisfied with me,” admitted Giroud told Canal recorded before Higuain’s move was confirmed.
“There is a little part of regret and frustration. The public expects a goalscorer to score goals. I’m the fourth best goalscorer of French football and nobody can take that away from me.”
Despite this, Giroud has struggled to impress manager Maurizio Sarri who has deployed Eden Hazard in a more central role this season.
“The coach makes Hazard play nine which is detrimental to strikers,” said the Frenchman. “But he is the best player I’ve ever played with.”
Of his own future, Giroud said: “If the club decides to get another striker, like Higuain, it will certainly darken my future at Chelsea.
“I’ve never said no to a return to France. Lyon and Marseille are two great clubs. My priority is to stay in the Premier League though.”
