SM
Barcelona vs. Brann: 35 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Frank Lampard opens door for Olivier Giroud to leave Chelsea amid Inter links

:Headline: Frank Lampard opens door for Olivier Giroud to leave Chelsea amid Inter links: ID:385659: from db_amp
The striker is out of favour at Stamford Bridge.

Frank Lampard has given the clearest indication yet that Olivier Giroud could leave Chelsea this month, with Inter Milan pushing to sign the France striker.

The Blues boss has admitted for the first time that Chelsea do not necessarily need to sign a replacement for Giroud to leave Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window.

Giroud's agent is understood to have agreed personal terms with Inter, with ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte keen to recruit the World Cup winner, but Lampard insisted no deal has yet been struck.

Asked if Chelsea need to recruit a replacement before Giroud can leave, Lampard said: "Not necessarily.

  • Grenoble
  • Istres (loan)
  • Tours
  • Montpellier
  • Tours (loan)
  • Arsenal
  • Chelsea

"With Ollie the situation is, if it's right for everybody, and first and foremost that's us as the club, then we'll look at whether he can leave the club.

"He's been a great professional here, who has continued to train professionally without many opportunities. But I still have to make a decision for the football club, and nothing's done yet.

"Everyone's talking about it so I'm not going to beat around the bush. I think his agent has spoken to the club, but until anything's done he's a Chelsea player."

Allowing Giroud to move to Inter without recruiting a replacement would leave Chelsea with Tammy Abraham and Michy Batshuayi as the only recognised senior strikers.

Olivier Giroud could be reunited with Antonio Conte at Inter Milan (Adam Davy/PA)

The Blues have been heavily linked with a move for Lyon forward Moussa Dembele, but Lampard insisted Chelsea have not seriously discussed a deal for the ex-Celtic player.

And Lampard revealed Chelsea are not yet on the verge of completing any transfers this month.

Asked about Dembele, Lampard said: "He's a player I know and a player the club know, but I'm surprised to see his name crop up so frequently in relation to us to be brutally honest.

"And I could say the same thing about a number of players this week. I don't want to go cut and dried on anyone. But it's not one we're openly talking about."

“With Ollie the situation is, if it's right for everybody, and first and foremost that's us as the club, then we'll look at whether he can leave the club”
- Frank Lampard on Olivier Giroud

On whether Chelsea are close to finalising any signings, Lampard added: "No, not at the moment. But what is close? It's January, and if it's right we'll look at it.

"Nothing's imminent, we're not going to have any big news today, or tomorrow."

Christian Pulisic has suffered a "nasty" adductor injury, Lampard revealed, meaning the United States forward will be sidelined for a number of weeks.

"Pulisic will be out for a few weeks," said Lampard. "He was injured in training the day before Nottingham Forest, it's an injury to his adductor, a tendon injury.

"It's disappointing for us. We'll have to see how quickly he recovers as it's a nasty injury, he was in pain at the time."

amp_article__385659 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-01-10 15:00:00:
html db last update - 2021-01-11 23:51:57 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Olivier Giroud

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .