Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino says he 'would love' Olivier Giroud to stay at Stamford Bridge beyond this season.
Giroud is out of contract in the summer and talk of his exit is rife following recent comments from the Frenchman's agent, who claimed Frank Lampard had been unfair to his client amid limited playtime this season.
The striker's agent Michael Manuello told FootMercato: "Effectively, since the start of September, things have changed but what has not changed is his capacity to play matches for France, contrary to what was said by certain others.
“There have been €150m worth of players bought. But at the same time you’d be blind not to see that Frank Lampard has decided to put Tammy Abraham ahead of him.
“It is not frankly fair when you look at what Olivier did at the end of the season. But he (Lampard) has the right, it is his choice.
“So effectively if things continue like this, in December we will find ourselves where we were in December 2019.
“Things have happened in the last five months. We cannot just look at the last two months and be forgetful about the three years that came before it.
“But we have to be honest and, if this continues, we will have to, first and foremost for him, experience other emotions.”
Giroud got an opportunity to impress off the bench last time out when Chelsea took on Rennes in the Champions League, and he seized it, scoring the winning goal in stoppage time to help his side secure qualification for the knockout stage.
And on the back of that goal, former Blues frontman Cascarino has spoken about why Lampard could offer Giroud - who has scored twice in eight appearances across all competitions so far this season - a new contract.
“I like Olivier Giroud and I think Frank Lampard said it, he trusts him,” he told talkSPORT.
“Lampard is totally happy with him. I’d love him to stay at the football club. He’s the second-highest goalscorer for France.
"He’s been an absolutely great asset for club and country. So Frank has told him what he feels and how he needs him.”
