Chelsea are currently under a transfer ban and will once again be forbidden from signing players in January. The Blues’ options will be limited in January without being able to sign new players. One Chelsea star has opened the door for a possible exit in 2020 and it could limit the Blues’ forward options even more if he leaves before the end of the season.
Striker Olivier Giroud’s contract will end in the summer of 2020 and he recently spoke about leaving Stamford Bridge in less than 12 months’ time. Giroud joined the Blues from Arsenal in January 2018 and since his arrival, has been a major part of the club.
An underrated striker
Since arriving in the Premier League from France’s Montpellier, where he won the Ligue 1 title, Giroud has long been one of the best strikers in the division. Giroud’s best years came at the Emirates where he scored 105 goals in 253 matches.
The Chelsea star may not have continued that great form at Stamford Bridge, but Giroud has had to regularly play as a back up to other strikers. Alvaro Morata and Gonzalo Higuain were both signed to be Chelsea’s No. 9 while Giroud has been at the club. The Frenchman is the only one of the three players to still be at Stamford Bridge as his importance has continually been shown to the Blues.
While Maurizio Sarri didn’t seem to rate Giroud last season, just months after winning the World Cup with France, the Chelsea star scored 11 goals in the Europa League.
Giroud’s goals in the competition were just as important to Chelsea winning the Europa League as Eden Hazard’s play. The Frenchman also tallied five assists in the Europa League.
Where will the Chelsea star go?
Giroud has opened the door to a possible move to the United States or Canada to play in Major League Soccer. Successful European strikers have often done well in MLS and Giroud is likely to succeed if he moves to North America.
Giroud is not only interested in playing in MLS as the lifestyle in America “appeals” to him too. MLS isn’t the only possible destination Giroud could seek out. He could be tempted by another club elsewhere in Europe.
MLS is set to add two new teams next season increasing the league from 24 teams to a ridiculous 26. Inter Miami and Nashville SC will join the North American league as expansion teams. Being new clubs, one of the teams could make a splash by adding Giroud to its squad.
The Frenchman has scored one goal this term which came in the UEFA Super Cup against Liverpool. Giroud has started just one match in the Premier League under Frank Lampard while coming off the bench in two games.
Giroud has won a wealth of trophies achieving more than most footballers. Giroud won Ligue 1 with Montpellier in 2011-12, four FA Cups with Arsenal and Chelsea, the Europa League with Chelsea, and the World Cup with France.
Although the Chelsea star remains one of the most underrated strikers in the Premier League and given the chance can still do the job for his team.