After a fairly disappointing season last year under Antonio Conte, Chelsea found themselves in the Europa League this season and much like Arsenal, Chelsea have fielded a fairly weakened side during the group stages.
Up until the weekend, Chelsea had started the season unbeaten and had surprised many with their superb performances in the early part of the season.
Under Maurizio Sarri, Chelsea have gone from a solid defensive side, to one that likes to play expansive and attacking football. The Blues have also managed to carry their domestic form – discluding their recent loss to Tottenham – into the Europa League.
In Europe, Sarri has looked to use Olivier Giroud as the main striker up front as Alvaro Morata, despite being severely out of form, has played the majority of games in the league. While he might be second choice, Giroud remains the key man for Chelsea in Europe.
Signed from Arsenal last January in an £18 million move, Giroud was an instant hit at Chelsea as he provided the Blues with the ideal target man and one that looked ideally suited to playing with Eden Hazard.
He made 13 appearances for the west London side during the second-half of this season and although he has made 10 in the league this year, he remains the first-choice striker for Sarri in Europe.
He’s made three appearances while scoring one goal and is vital to Chelsea’s European success. With Giroud’s excellent hold up play, strength in the air and intelligence, Sarri has a striker whom he can rely upon as Chelsea look to win another European trophy.
