French striker Olivier Giroud has revealed that national team manager Didier Deschamps played a role in him leaving the Gunners in the recently concluded winter transfer window.
Giroud was effectively part of a merry go round transfer that saw Aubameyang move to Arsenal, Batshuayi move to BVB and Giroud move to Chelsea.
The arrival of Aubameyang at Arsenal would’ve made Giroud third choice at the Emirates behind the Gabon international and compatriot Alexandre Lacazette, and the 31 year old had a word with Les Bleus boss Deschamps regarding his World Cup selection possibilities, and the latter encouraged him to “leave Arsenal”. Deschamps didn’t tell him to move to Chelsea in particular, but asked him to leave the Emirates in order to increase his World Cup chances, with sporadic Cup and Europa appearances not really helping Giroud’s cause.
Giroud also revealed that there was interest from BVB, Roma and Sevilla, but he opted to join Chelsea. He is expected to make his Blues debut tonight against Watford at Vicarage Road
With Aubameyang and Batshuayi both netting on their respective club debuts, Giroud will look to emulate them