Giroud: Competition With Morata Will Strengthen Chelsea

The Frenchman insists that his battle for supremacy with the Spanish striker will help the Blues win trophies this season

Olivier Giroud believes that the competition between him and Alvaro Morata will help Chelsea fight for silverware in the coming months.

The veteran striker, 31, made his first start of the 2018-19 Premier League campaign on Saturday against Cardiff City and impressed leading the line in a 4-1 victory.

The France international, who became a World Cup winner this summer, provided two assists and was heavily involved in the team’s build-up play throughout as the Blues secured their fifth successive win.

New manager Maurizio Sarri had used Morata up front during the opening four matches of the new season, but the 25-year-old only managed to find the net once as his difficult spell in England continues.

The Spaniard was heavily criticised last term for lacking a clinical edge in front of goal and has once again struggled to make his mark at Stamford Bridge so far this year.

However, according to Giroud, his colleague still has a big part to play for Chelsea, with both men vying for a starting spot in Sarri’s line-up, as he told reporters on Monday: “It has always been a fair competition between us and we will both try to step up to help the team reach our target.

Chelsea kick off their Europa League campaign on Thursday against PAOK Athens, before their next Premier League outing against West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday.