Olivier Giroud’s summer didn’t contain the goals that he would’ve liked.
And yet, he still played a key role in France’s World Cup victory.
Giroud became a figure of ridicule because of his lack of potency in front of goal for Les Bleus in Russia.
In France’s first competitive action since their World Cup win, France drew 0-0 with Germany in Hoffenheim.
(Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)
But yesterday was a whole lot better.
Despite being pegged back by the Netherlands in their Nations League game, Giroud scored the winner, finishing exquisitely from a Benjamin Mendy cross.
And the striker has now surpassed Zinedine Zidane to become France’s fourth highest goalscorer with 32, with David Trezeguet now in his sights on 34.
Despite the mockery that Giroud has received from the footballing world, his popularity amongst Chelsea fans has not waned.
With Alvaro Morata’s confidence in front of goal looking shot, many of the Chelsea fans are calling for the Frenchman to get a chance.
And here’s how Chelsea fans took the news of Giroud’s winner:
Sorry to say but Giroud is way better then Morata.
— ꉓ꒒ꍏꀎꀸꍟ꓄꓄ꍟ ꂵꂦꋪꍟ꒒ ➲ (@DBDClaudette) September 10, 2018
Had Chelsea written all over it
Unfortunately we well see him on the bench come Saturday— Colin Perkins (@ColinPerkins20) September 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/DemyJozeph/status/1039045746622955520
Olivier Giroud getting ahead of Virgil van Dijk and scoring. Wouldn't mind seeing a repeat of that when Chelsea play Liverpool.
— Mark Worrall (@gate17marco) September 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/JuniorEbong/status/1038899072797749249
Hope he scores a stunner like this for chelsea
— Sanjeev Jasani (@sanjeevjasani) September 10, 2018
Olivier Giroud was playing second tier football in 2010 and didn’t make his international debut until he was 25. Now he’s a world champion and France’s fourth all-time leading goal scorer. Football is incredible.
— Patrick Timmons (@PatrickTimmons1) September 9, 2018