Chelsea legend Marcel Desailly fears Olivier Giroud will be out of Blues XI as January transfer speculation hots up

MARCEL DESAILLY believes Oliver Giroud could be facing an uphill battle to cement his place as Chelsea’s main frontman, according to reports.  

And the Blues hero thinks his French compatriot – linked with a Juventus January swoop – is likely to play second fiddle to Timo Werner and Tammy Abraham. 

Giroud, 34, whose contract expires at the end of the season, has been sensational for Frank Lampard scoring eight goals in 14 appearances in all competitions this term.

And the Inter Milan target netted four for Chelsea during their 4-0 thumping of Sevilla, and in their win against Leeds and loss to Wolves. 

However, the ex-Arsenal frontman, who started on the bench in six Prem encounters this season, is thought to be restless amid fears of being omitted from France’s squad before the 2021 Euros. 

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Desailly, 52, who has been speaking to Goal, believes Giroud may struggle to replace Werner and Abraham in Chelsea’s starting line-up.

And the former Stamford Bridge defender reckons Lampard is looking to the future of Chelsea's attack with the Germany and England starlets leading the charge.

Desailly told Goal: "He is not the future of Chelsea and he can never be the main man. 

"He can only be important at moments for the club because Lampard can be clever to study the opponents and use him in specific games against teams who don’t like facing a player with his strengths.

"I believe that Lampard has helped Giroud shine often by getting a lot out of him but he can’t be the first choice for Lampard. 

“He has Tammy Abraham and Timo Werner to compete with, so he can’t maintain his first-choice status from the start until the end.

"It is just down to Lampard to use him at the right time, get runners around him to allow him to shine. 

“He is 34 years old now so don’t ask him to be the main man but make sure that he is important when he is needed. 

“With his age, and status as a world champion, then I think this is about how and when you use him."

Giroud, who signed for Chelsea in 2018 in an £18million January switch from the Gunners, has scored 36 times in 102 Blues appearances. 

And the World Cup-winning Frenchman is seven goals away from equalling Thierry Henry’s all-time goal record for France.

Despite interest from Juve and Inter Chelsea are confident they will be able to retain the services of the Stamford Bridge star until the end of this season.

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