Olivier Giroud has always been quick to share his good statistics with the media, clearly annoyed at how he’s been perceived down the years.
He did it at Arsenal, and has also done so with the French national team, so it’s natural that he looks back on his time with Chelsea with some pride, and wants to make sure people know the impact he had.
Giroud moved to Stamford Bridge in January 2018, and picked up three trophies during his time with the London club. He then switched to AC Milan during the last summer transfer window, and at 35-years-of-age is still trying to do his thing at the top level.
During an interview with L’Equipe, the forward was asked if the summer was the right time to turn his back on Chelsea and English football, and replied: “The last few months at Chelsea have been difficult. I had the good fortune to spend nine years in the Premier League, moreover in the same city. For my family, for me, it was ideal. But sportingly, I needed something else. I was ready. There were no other issues with Chelsea. I was less and less happy at the end, with no playing time. But there was also emotion in the exit. I am leaving after the best club title with this Champions League, being also the club’s top scorer in this competition with six goals.”
Asked if he feels he left Chelsea by the front door, Giroud said: “Somehow, yes. In three and a half years at Chelsea, those are two great European titles and almost 50% of the major titles of the Abramovich era. There is this frustration of playing time at the end that takes away a little bit of satisfaction.
“In terms of trophies, decisive moments with again the title of top scorer in the Europa League in 2019 (11 goals) and this particular final against Arsenal (4-1) with a goal, an 
assist and a penalty obtained, I think this track record remains magnificent. The bitterness remains over the last three months and after not entering the Champions League final against Manchester City.”
Giroud is clearly upset he wasn’t given a chance to turn the game for Chelsea in the final against Manchester City, and went on to say he had an up and down relationship with Thomas Tuchel, but made sure to praise the manager for improving the players at his disposal.
