Chelsea
striker Olivier Giroud has admitted his lack of playing time this season is
"concerning" and that he is likely to be forced to leave the club in January
if the situation doesn't change.
The 34-year-old played a key role as Chelsea secured a top-four Premier
League finish last season - scoring eight goals in the final 12 games of
their campaign - but has found his opportunities limited following the
summer arrival of Timo Werner, with the German and England forward Tammy
Abraham preferred in the central striking role by Frank Lampard.
Despite his lack of game time, which amounts to just 36 minutes of Premier
League action across four substitute appearances, Giroud has kept his
starting place for World Cup holders France, but has been warned by
international boss Didier Deschamps that he will need more action ahead of
next summer's European Championships.
Asked whether he was worried by the situation at Chelsea, Giroud told
Telefoot: "'Worried' is a big word, but it is concerning.
"It's true that I felt I still had a role to play in this (Chelsea) team,
especially after ending last season very well and contributing to the team's
Champions League qualification.
"At the start of the campaign, I thought I could still help the team, but my
playing time has gone down significantly, so that will need to change or
I'll have to make a decision.
Giroud was in a similar situation in January and nearly left Chelsea then,
with Tottenham, Inter Milan and Lazio all interested in signing the striker.
He played just seven times for the club in the first half of the season but
his post-restart performances earned him a contract extension for the
2020-21 campaign.
Giroud played in all three - and started two - of France's matches during
the international break earlier in November and scored twice in their
Nations League victory over Sweden on his 105th cap, but Deschamps warned
that the situation "cannot drag on forever".
"I'm clear-headed about it (my situation)," Giroud said.
"I know what the situation is and we (with Deschamps) have spoken about it.
I will have to make a decision in January and I hope to make the right one
as I have always done."
Chelsea won 2-0 at Newcastle on Saturday to climb to third in the Premier
League table, with Lampard's side now unbeaten seven league games. They
resume their Champions League campaign in France against Rennes on Tuesday,
before hosting league leaders Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, live
on Sky Sports.
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