‘Has to start’: Some Chelsea fans demand Tuchel starts £18m star against Tottenham Hotspur
Chelsea supporters have voiced their opinion that they want Olivier Giroud to be selected in the starting line-up against Tottenham Hotspur.
Thomas Tuchel may face his biggest test yet as Chelsea manager when he’s pitted against Jose Mourinho in the London Derby on Thursday.
He has picked up four points from his maiden two games in charge at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley but Spurs offer an altogether different ordeal.
Tuchel has chopped and changed his team over this period, giving Chelsea an alternative outlook to the one they sustained under Frank Lampard.
With this mouth watering match on the horizon, many Blues fans made their feelings known that they wanted their French forward back in the fray.
Giroud did begin Tuchel’s maiden game in charge at Stamford Bridge but was unused in the following victory over Wolves.
The £18m (BBC Sport) signing from Arsenal has had no trouble in finding the back of the net since his move across town.
37 goals in 107 appearances may not sound prolific, however he has mainly been used a back-up to another striker and rarely given a consistent run out in the side.
Lampard used him here and there but never truly settled on him as Chelsea’s main man upfront.
Which is surprising considering Giroud has netted nine times this season and is joint second top scorer along with Timo Werner.
His record against Spurs should also be put into consideration.
It was his strike last February that kicked started Chelsea’s 2-1 over their city neighbours and ensured Chelsea did the league double over Mourinho’s men.
Liverpool is the only opponent Giroud has faced more in his career than Spurs, winning seven out of the 11 occasions he’s gone to war in the capital.
The Chelsea Chronicle View
Tuchel has done so much tinkering I think even the greatest mind reader couldn’t predict his team.
I too would like to see Giroud in from the off because of how he brings others into the game. His technical ability is above Tammy Abraham and Timo Werner, as is his aerial ability.
