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Frank Lampard to 'open talks' with Olivier Giroud in January

By Andrew Sinclair | 20 October 2019

Lampard to 'open Giroud talks' in January

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard says that he is prepared to have a discussion with striker Olivier Giroud about his future at the club in January.

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has said that he is prepared to have a discussion with striker Olivier Giroud about his future at the club in January.

The emergence of young Tammy Abraham has seen the Frenchman restricted to just one Premier League start for the Blues this season.

That, and the fact that the 33-year-old scored against both Iceland and Turkey in the recent international break, has prompted the former Arsenal forward to suggest that he may need to leave Stamford Bridge in search of more first-team football.

Speaking after Chelsea made it five wins in a row on Saturday, Lampard said: "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.

"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."

Giroud has scored 19 goals in 68 games for Chelsea in all competitions since making the switch from the Gunners in January 2018.