Didier Deschamps Insists Olivier Giroud Needs Regular Game Time Ahead of Euro 2021
By Adam Aladay
France boss Didier Deschamps has claimed that Olivier Giroud's current situation with regards to his playing time at Chelsea cannot last 'forever', and must find a solution if he is to play any part at the rescheduled Euros next summer.
Giroud has 42 goals to his name for his nation in just 102 matches, making him Les Bleus' second top goalscorer of all time. Giroud is just nine behind Thierry Henry's tally of 51 goals.
But the Frenchman has been struggling for minutes at club level this term. In fact, he has started just one game in the Carabao Cup. With both Timo Werner and Tammy Abraham ahead of him in the pecking order, Giroud has only managed 154 minutes of action so far in all competitions.
This has impacted his place in the starting lineup for his national side as well, with Deschamps opting to go with Manchester Untied's Anthony Martial for his side's important Nations League victory over Portugal on Saturday.
And Deschamps has now claimed that the 34-year-old's situation at club level must change soon if he is to have any chance of being involved at the delayed Euros. He told RTL, as quoted by Sky Sports: "Olivier Giroud knows it - the situation he's in today cannot drag on forever. Before March he will have to find another situation than this one.
"I never give advice, I give an opinion. At the end of the day, it's the player's decision. He has had situations that have sometimes been complicated to deal with.
"Today, it is not good for him. Will it stay the same or will it improve? It's up to him. He knows what I think, even if I don't forget everything he has done and everything he would still be able to do."
Deschamps further compared Giroud to Martial when talking to reporters (via the Sun), adding: "I make the choices that seem best to me for the France team. With Anthony who is a good player, it allows us to have a little more depth.
"Compared to Olivier, he has to be impacted, first of all with the situation he has at his club, knowing that he has a large frame and that he needs rhythm, it’s hard...Anthony has a different profile but one that gives options. Anthony, today, is more fulfilled and in better physical and psychological conditions, obviously."
The former Arsenal striker was linked with a move away from Chelsea during the last transfer window, but nothing ever materialised. However, having yet to start a single Premier League game so far in 2020/21, Deschamps has made it clear that his current situation must change ahead of the Euros.