Chelsea transfer news: Frank Lampard happy to discuss Olivier Giroud’s future with France striker struggling for game time

The France international could move on in January to secure his place in the Euro 2020 squad for Les Bleus

(AFP via Getty)

Frank Lampard has urged Olivier Giroud to stay at Chelsea but has conceded he will sit down with the France international at some point to discuss his future.

The Blues striker has played just 191 minutes this season under Lampard, scoring once in the Uefa Super Cup against Liverpool, with Tammy Abraham the preferred option currently.

But with Euro 2020 on the horizon, Giroud has been linked with a move away in order to retain his place in the squad for Les Bleus, having played a key role at the 2018 World Cup.

Lampard has promised further opportunities, but admitted he will discuss a January move if his situation fails to change.

“I had a good chat with Oli before he went away and I always respect all the players, but particularly the players of that age of low thirties,” Lampard said. “I love his professionalism. He was bang on when he spoke to me and with his quotes when he was away with France.

“He shouldn’t be happy and accept not playing. That’s what good players do. I think, as I said to Oli, he will get his games and be a big influence for us.

“At the moment, because of how Tammy is playing, there hasn’t been the minutes, so I would happily sit down with Oli in January. But that is a long way away. I want him here.”

While Lampard clarified why Abraham has remained his first choice this season ahead of Giroud and Michy Batshuayi.

Olivier Giroud could move on in January (AFP via Getty)

“He (Abraham) has been scoring goals regularly,” Lampard said. “So today wasn’t quite the norm, but what you see with Tammy is what you get – the physicality, the movement, the enthusiasm to keep trying, to be a problem for the defenders. I’ve got nice problems up front.

“Giroud and Batshuayi, to give them both credit, have shown great professionalism, training at a level, and they’ll get their chances as well because it’s a long season. But at the moment Tammy, with regular goals, being a big part of getting us to where we are, has been playing.”