International boss sends Chelsea star clear message over January move

Olivier Giroud has been told he needs to leave Chelsea in January if he is to secure his place in France’s squad for the delayed Euro 2020.

The out-of-favour Blues striker is so often one of the first names on France’s teamsheet. However, he was replaced in attack in favour of Antony Martial on Saturday evening as France recorded a 1-0 win over Portugal in the Nations League.

Martial, however, did not cover himself in glory and was wasteful when presented with several clear-cut chances.

Giroud was then brought on to replace Martial with 12 minutes remaining.

After the game, Didier Deschamps explained it was a lack of game-time at Chelsea that prompted the call in the first place.

Indeed, Deschamps suggested that his place in France’s Euro 2020 squad could be in jeopardy if he cannot secure regular football.

The signing of Timo Werner has limited Giroud to just 33 minutes of Premier League football this season.

Indeed, Werner has recently been compared to two current Premier League greats by a Chelsea teammate.

But with Giroud’s contract due to expire in the summer, the striker has been told it could be worthwhile considering a January move.

“I make the choices that seem best to me for the France team,” Deschamps said.

 

“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.

“That’s not why I want to lose him, it’s complicated. We’ll talk, but obviously he has every interest in it not lasting [his lack of minutes].

“For him, he must remain competitive. But we must not forget what he did with us and what he is still able to do.

“Anthony has a different profile but one that gives options. Anthony, today, is more fulfilled [at club level] and in better physical and psychological conditions, obviously.”

Indeed, Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia was told last week she has an ‘issue to solve’ over the striker’s future.

 


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Chelsea near €20m sale of midfield flop

Chelsea have already agreed a deal in principle to sell Tiemoue Bakayoko to Napoli at the end of the season, reports claim.

Bakayoko’s career has not gone to plan since he joined Chelsea from Monaco in 2017 for £40m. The midfielder only made 43 appearances for the Blues before they loaned him out to AC Milan in 2018. A similar spell with Monaco followed in 2019.

Bakayoko moved away from Stamford Bridge for a third time this summer, when Napoli took him back to Serie A on loan. His first six games for them have been more promising, bringing one assist.

Indeed, reports in Italy now claim a permanent €20m deal is close to being agreed.

According to Gazzetta Dello Sport and La Repubblica, Chelsea will allow Bakayoko to move to Napoli permanently for €18m. Given that the loan cost the Serie A side €2m, that would make the final cost €20m.

One sticking point does exist though with details of that explained right here…