Chelsea manager Frank Lampard made no fewer than five changes to his starting line-up for today’s Premier League clash against West Ham.
Among those to come into the team was striker Olivier Giroud, who made his first start in the top flight since the draw against Leicester more than three months ago (as per TransferMarkt).
In a week that saw top scorer Tammy Abraham go off injured against Valencia, the Frenchman was unable to step up effectively against the Hammers after starting ahead of Michy Batshuayi, managing only one shot on target and two shots in total as the Blues fell to a 0-1 defeat at home to their London rivals.
Giroud’s only goal this season remains his strike against Liverpool in the UEFA Super Cup in August and Football London‘s Oliver Harbord did not hold back in his player ratings, giving the 33-year-old a lowly three and saying that he “provided very little in the first half” and was “much the same in the second half” , with the striker “getting no opportunities and not effecting the play”.
These Chelsea fans on Twitter also castigated Giroud for his ineffective display against West Ham:
Chelsea were out of ideas today without a proper CF leading the line. Giroud was slow and rusty having not played for a long time. Tammy would have been at the end of those Reece James crosses
— HNK (@Hnk_89) November 30, 2019
Everyone: GIROUD HAS TO START CAUSE HE WILL SCORE THOSE REECE JAMES CROSSES!!!
Giroud: Misses the ball completely at the edge of the 6 yard box…
Batshuayi should have started!!!!#CHEWHU #CFC
— Laurenz Vescoli (@Laus1507) November 30, 2019
Lampard start Giroud!!!! start Giroud!!! Start Giroud!!!! Man deserves a chance.
Abraham gets injured, Frank Lampard gives Giroud a chance to impress.
Giroud proves to Lampard that he is indeed slow and old to be a starter😭😭
Man is slooooooooooooooow😂😂😂😂#CHEWHU— Kwamε Bεnaїah 🎭🇬🇭♂️ (@kwamebenaiah) November 30, 2019
#cfc observations 2: Giroud played like a man who knows he is at a new club in January. I like him in general but he won’t wear the shirt again. Pedro as well. Poor choices by Frank, even if well intentions
— Slartibartfast (@GrocerJackUK) November 30, 2019
😂😂😂😂 Giroud was horrible
— Chelsea Mirjam (@Mim022003) November 30, 2019
The point is…Giroud isn’t good enough and shouldn’t be anywhere near the CFC team.
— #TouchlineFracas 🧢⌛️ (@ChessyHour) November 30, 2019
Did you think Giroud was Chelsea’s biggest disappointment in the defeat to West Ham? Have your say by commenting below!
