Olivier Giroud’s place in the Chelsea squad would be under serious threat if the Blues sign Erling Haaland in the summer.
That's according to former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell.
Chelsea are one of a number of clubs reportedly interested in signing Haaland at the end of the season, with Manchester United and Manchester City also keen on the Norway international.
Haaland is set to be one of the most sought-after players in the summer transfer window, having scored 29 goals in 28 games for Dortmund already this season.
He is reportedly top of the Blues wishlist for the summer, but according to BILD, the 20-year-old striker would prefer to join an 'absolutely top club' and not take an 'intermediate step’ this summer, with Chelsea understood to not be considered an option for Haaland.
It remains to be seen whether Chelsea can change that perception, but in the meantime the club’s strikers are competing for a place in Thomas Tuchel’s in-form side.
Timo Werner, Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham are all on Chelsea’s books as central strikers, but none of them have secured a regular place in the starting XI as the central striker, with Tuchel rotating his side frequently since taking over from Frank Lampard in January.
Abraham has not been in the squad for Chelsea’s last three matches against Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton.
Giroud started in the 0-0 draw with United, but has been an unused substitute against Liverpool and Everton, with Werner preferred as the lone frontman.
Abraham’s recent absence may suggest he is out of favour with Tuchel, but 34-year-old Giroud is out of contract at the end of the season and former Arsenal striker Campbell thinks the Frenchman is the most likely man to make way for Haaland, should he arrive in the summer.
"Well if you're going to get Haaland, Haaland's going to play no matter what," Campbell told Stadium Astro.
"Then you're looking at Giroud, who we haven't seen today [against Everton], you're looking at Tammy Abraham who's a good young player, who I think is one Chelsea can keep.
"But you bring Haaland in, all of a sudden the level goes up, so you could be looking at those two players.
"Obviously Werner's going to be involved, he's just come to the club. So I think you're looking at really Giroud and Tammy Abraham.
"They're the ones you're going to be looking at to create space, because when Haaland doesn't play you're probably going to need another big man at the top of the pitch, but you're not going to need both of them. So it probably will be Giroud, I believe."
While it might be a frustrating situation for Abraham and Giroud, Chelsea’s squad depth is undoubtedly a strength for Tuchel, who has made a strong start to live in west London.
The Blues are unbeaten in 11 games under the German, who has picked up eight wins and three draws so far.
Chelsea are fourth in the Premier League, two points ahead of fifth-placed West Ham, following the 2-0 win over Everton on Monday evening.
