Over the past month, Chelsea supporters have experienced a whirlwind of emotions, witnessing their team’s impressive victory over Aston Villa in the FA Cup, juxtaposed with disappointing performances in the preceding Premier League matches. The team’s inconsistency under Mauricio Pochettino has been evident, particularly in their defensive vulnerabilities and their struggles to convert scoring opportunities. Only Cole Palmer, a summer acquisition, has managed to reach double digits in goals for Chelsea across all competitions this season, reflecting poorly on a club of such stature.
Remarkably, Olivier Giroud, who was sold for a mere £1 million a couple of years ago, has outperformed Chelsea’s current players this season. Despite his illustrious career as France’s top goalscorer and a World Cup winner, Giroud’s departure highlights deeper issues within the club. Chelsea’s acquisition of Giroud in 2018 from Arsenal for £18 million seemed reasonable at the time, given his reduced game time at Arsenal due to the arrival of Alexandre Lacazette. During his tenure at Chelsea, Giroud made significant contributions, scoring 39 goals and providing 14 assists in 119 appearances, averaging 0.44 goal involvements per match—a commendable return on investment.
Although Giroud may not have been the most celebrated player at Chelsea, his presence coincided with the team’s second Champions League victory, where his six goals in the tournament underscored his importance. However, his subsequent transfer to AC Milan for a meager £1 million, while understandable given his age, now appears shortsighted in light of his stellar performances since joining the Italian club.
Upon joining AC Milan, Giroud quickly acclimated to his new surroundings and played a pivotal role in the team’s triumph, contributing to their first Serie A title in 11 years.