Chelsea has certainly changed a lot, with a new strongman, Todd Boehly, at its head, after the Roman Abramovich era, and on the bench a new coach Graham Potter, successor to Thomas Tuchel ousted in September.

But Giroud will still be a bit like home in Stamford Brige, his lair for three and a half years (January 2018-June 2021).

London fans, too, have probably not forgotten their French striker, nor his last goal: a decisive comeback on the field of Atlético Madrid (1-0) in the round of 16 first leg of C1 in February 2021 .

This stunt did not change Giroud's status during this last English season: most often left on the bench by Tuchel, as in the Champions League final won against Manchester City (1-0), his third and last trophy with Chelsea after the FA Cup 2018 and the Europa League in 2019.

"Often undervalued"

The man who had almost joined Inter Milan in January 2020 then set his sights on the rival club, AC Milan, in the summer of 2021 to revive himself, tired of this role of "supersub" (super substitute) and decided to show that he still had goals under his crampons.

The world champion, however, took a risk, arriving in a role of understudy of the local monument, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

But the declining physique of the Swedish forty-year-old and a few decisive goals have gradually imposed Giroud as an evidence at the forefront of the team, crowned Italian champions in May.

The Frenchman himself had to deal with a few glitches during his first months but he is now faithful to the position, a real "titolarissimo": he has played all the matches of AC Milan since January 1, 2022 (33 matches, including 28 as a holder)!

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"He is often underestimated at the start of the season: he is not fast, he does not catch the eye with spectacular gestures and does not score 30 league goals... But he is very intelligent and in this is very useful for the team", according to ex-Italian international Gianfranco Zola, assistant to Maurizio Sarri when the latter coached the London club (2018-19).

"His goals may be few for a centre-forward, but they are all important (...). I had no doubts that he would succeed (at Milan), he was the right person to alternate with Ibrahimovic," he told the weekly Sportweek.

“still a lot to give”

The only meetings missed in 2022 by Giroud are with the Blues, in June, coach Didier Deschamps having dismissed him again before calling him back in September due to the injury of Karim Benzema.

Author against Austria (2-0) of his 49th goal in the tricolor, the regularly contested center-forward took the opportunity to get a little closer to record holder Thierry Henry (51) and confirm that he remained a candidate for the World Cup -2022 in Qatar (November 20-December 18), maintaining a debate that will last until the announcement of the list in November.

At 36, the former Montpellier resident is doing what it takes to be on the trip, displaying his enthusiasm and continuing to weigh on the defenses of Serie A, where his agreement sparks with Rafael Leao, 23.

"He still has a lot to give to Milan," ex-Rossoneri and Blues striker Andriy Shevchenko, Giroud's idol, told MilanTV.

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The Frenchman scored four league goals this season and unlocked his counter in the Champions League, converting a penalty against Dinamo Zagreb (3-1).

But a goal at Stamford Brige would undoubtedly have another flavor, he who has not scored there since February 2021.

© 2022 AFP