In an interview with Chelsea’s official club website, Olivier Giroud has revealed that he came close to leaving the club in the most recent January transfer window.

The veteran Frenchman drew strong links to both Inter and Lazio in particular but moves never transpired in the end and Chelsea have since went on to extend his contract with them until the end of next season.

“I was supposed to leave in the January transfer window because I wasn’t playing much and I needed more game time to make the France squad for Euro 2020,” he began the interview.

“I very nearly left the club but I really think that God wanted me to stay at Chelsea.”

He then went on to reveal that the promise of more game time is what convinced him to remain with the Blues, who he joined in January of 2018 from fellow Premier League side Arsenal.

“The manager told me that he couldn’t let me leave because he didn’t have anyone to replace me. Everyone knows what happened so I won’t go back over it but the coach spoke to me privately and told me that he’d give more games.

“He kept his word and what then mattered to me was proving to him that he could count on me when I was called upon.”

This season the 33-year-old, who was part of the France side that won the 2018 World Cup in Russia, has made 13 appearances across all competitions to date. In his time on the park, which totals just shy of 700 minutes on total, he has scored three goals.

The post Olivier Giroud: “I Nearly Left Chelsea In January But Think God Wanted Me To Stay At Chelsea” appeared first on Sempreinter.

from Sempreinter https://ift.tt/3716RBp
via IFTTT visita: https://ift.tt/1VotyWY