Thomas Tuchel (L) greets Chelsea's French striker Olivier Giroud during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Chelsea. (Photo by DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty Images)
According to The Athletic (Subscription Required) [h/t The Metro], former Chelsea star Olivier Giroud admits that he is still unable to comprehend why he was not given more opportunities by Thomas Tuchel.
The veteran Frenchman impressed for the Blues last season. However, he found minutes harder to come by towards the business end of the campaign. German sensation Kai Havertz often received the nod to lead Tuchel’s frontline.
Perhaps a show of a lack of faith, Giroud was an unused substitute in the UEFA Champions League final. He also saw just one minute of action in the Blues lost cause against Leicester City in the FA Cup final.
Giroud goes on to admit that he could not understand why he failed to play a more central role in the club’s success. After all, his ability to step up is not in doubt. He did so expertly in the 2019 Europa League final against former side Arsenal.
“I didn’t understand why I couldn’t play a bigger part in our success.”
The Frenchman admits he was angry at his limited role in the competition in the latter stages. And that’s frustration that was understandable given that he was the club’s top scorer in the competition that season.
“Even more because I was our top scorer in the Champions League so I was a bit angry.”
It is a testament to Giroud’s professionalism that he chose to keep his resentment quiet. While it is understandable to be frustrated, he did not let it spill over and cause unrest within the group.
“I didn’t show it because the most important thing is the team, the cohesion.”
The 34-year-old does not harbour any ill feelings against Tuchel either. The German’s methods did get results after all. It has been an excellent three and a half years at the Bridge for the Frenchman who then left for Milan earlier in the summer.
“I don’t have any resentment regarding the manager, especially because he has been successful and we did well.”
Giroud had been a consummate professional who was always ready to step up and do a job for Chelsea. While not the most glamourous, he was certainly effective with the ball at his feet. We wish him the best for his time at the San Siro.
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