Why Giroud to Newcastle would be a win-win for both sides
According to The Telegraph, Newcastle United are interested in Chelsea’s veteran striker Olivier Giroud.
A 2018 World Cup winner with France, Giroud has rarely featured this season for the Blues, with new boss Frank Lampard preferring the younger Tammy Abraham.
Abraham, meanwhile, has been sensational for the Blues this season and is his side’s top-scorer in the league with 12 goals to his name.
The Magpies are keen on bringing the 33-year-old star forward to St. James Park on loan until the end of the season and contacted the Blues last week, the report added.
However, Giroud has been informed by his club that he would not be granted a move elsewhere until and unless they find a replacement for him (h/t The Telegraph).
Having been restricted to the sidelines for the most part of this season, Chelsea’s decision might only infuriate the striker even further, who would be yearning for some game time.
Such a decision by the Blues board would also affect the Frenchman’s chances of representing his country in the upcoming European Championship in the summer. He has so far made just 5 appearances in the league this season, starting just 2 of them, and is yet to open his account.
If a move does materialize, it would do a world of good for Giroud, who played his last league game against West Ham in November.
Given his present situation, Giroud would be an ideal fit for Steve Bruce’s Newcastle side, who on the other hand, have struggled for goals this season. The Magpies have scored a meagre 20 goals so far from 21 league games, with their summer signing Joelinton yet to impress.
The young Brazilian centre-forward, who moved to St. James’ Park last summer, has scored just a single goal despite featuring in all of their league matches this season.
The frontman seems to have lost his confidence completely, scoring his last goal back in September. Ideally, he would have lost his place in the side by now if they had an able competitor.
However, with injuries troubling Bruce’s other centre-forward Dwight Gayle, Bruce has no other option but to play his £40million signing.
Other than Joelinton and Gayle, Bruce also has Andy Carroll in his side but past experiences have proved that the seasoned campaigner is not an entirely reliable customer when it comes to scoring goals.
With Newcastle’s troubles in front of the goal now out in the open, bringing in the prolific Giroud would be a blessing for a side that clearly needs some goals to climb up the ladder.
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The Frenchman, having not played much at all this season, would be eager to prove a point and this could, in turn, be beneficial for Bruce’s side, who need a clinical and consistent scorer in their ranks.
Moreover, Giroud is as effective playing with his back to the goal as he is facing it, and has excellent link-up skills which can bring out the best in wingers Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin.
Verdict
With Newcastle short of quality finishers in their ranks, a move for Giroud would be nothing less than a mutually beneficial one for both parties, with the veteran not in Lampard’s plans.
Hence, it would be a win-win for both the parties if Chelsea allow Giroud to leave Stamford Bridge and join the Magpies.