Giroud namechecks Tottenham as he reveals all on blocked Chelsea exit

Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has revealed that he did “everything” he could to leave the club in January before such a move was blocked by the Blues.

Giroud endured a frustrating first six months of the season behind Tammy Abraham in the pecking order, with the England international in sensational form.

As such, the Frenchman was heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge with Inter Milan – coached by former Blues boss Antonio Conte – said to be keen admirers.

Indeed, Frank Lampard admitted that Giroud’s agent had spoken to Chelsea – with Tottenham also said to be interested – but a departure from West London never materialised.

Speaking to Telefoot (via Get French Football News), Giroud revealed all on the frustrating six months leading up to the end of January.

“I saw myself elsewhere after experiencing a complicated six months,” the striker said.

“I did everything I could to leave Chelsea, but they did not want to let me go unless they could get a replacement. Inter Milan was my priority with contacts as well with Lazio and Tottenham.

“But the circumstances brought Chelsea to block me. This was not my choice. Aside from that, either you sulk or you come back fighting to win your place.”

Giroud has done just that due to Abraham’s niggling ankle injury and said he knew it was the right decision to bide his time under Lampard.

“The coach [Lampard] promised me more playing time, he kept his word. I simply took my chance,” Giroud said.

“I knew that it was not prudent to go on strike, or to try and mess with the atmosphere in the dressing room.

“Because that is not me, and because I knew that there was a large chance that I would stay at Chelsea.

 

 

“[Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas] did call me,” Giroud added. “I told him that I was flattered but that my priority, at the time, was Inter… [France head coach Didier] Deschamps warned me.

“We briefly spoke about the MLS, and no, that was not an option for me if I wanted to be at the Euros.”

Giroud added that he hopes to continue with his run of games and earn a place in Deschamps’ squad for Euro 2020 this summer.

“The Euros remains a big objective for me, well, if it actually takes place,” he said.

“Seriously, it is always a source of enormous disappointed not to be selected and I hope that my recent performances with Chelsea will convince the coach to call me up.”

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