Olivier Giroud’s move to Chelsea from Arsenal is done, and it’s going well.
The French striker has already racked up a goal and three assists in his first three games under Antonio Conte, and he doesn’t seem inclined to stop there, wanting to show his former club why they should have started him more often.
The reasons behind his departure from the Gunners are well-known, and Arsène Wenger was keen to help him find the right solution, such is his admiration for the 31-year-old, but others also helped influence the France international to choose Chelsea above other options.
Speaking to France Football, Giroud explained that an Arsenal legend told him a move to Chelsea would be perfect for him.
He said: “Guys who played at and against Chelsea all told me I’d fit in well. Freddie Ljungberg, for example. Our children go to the same school. He reminded me of all the strong strikers who did well at Chelsea: Diego Costa, Hasselbaink, Flo, and Drogba, of course.
“I came because I had the conviction I had a role to play in this team. You can’t just go to Chelsea because it’s Chelsea.”
Furthermore, Giroud admitted that moving to the Blues was made a bit easier by the fact he already knew a handful of the players there, like N’Golo Kanté or Tiémoué Bakayoko (from France duty), or Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard, who he’d bumped into in and around London before.
With a World Cup spot in Didier Deschamps’ squad in the balance, this was needed for Giroud, but Chelsea also needed Giroud.
A match made in heaven? Only time will tell, but they’re off to a good start.
