France international Olivier Giroud has said that he has the ability to play at the highest level for a few more years and he would not hesitate to leave Chelsea, should he continue to struggle for gametime. The 33-year-old has been confined to a bench role during the early stages of the campaign with Tammy Abraham regarded as the undisputed first-choice striker under Frank Lampard.
Despite this, Giroud has continued to remain a regular presence for France at the international level and he has recently been in good form with goals in successive European qualifiers. Speaking to reporters, Giroud said that he has no regrets over the decision to leave the Gunners for playing time and he could follow the same trend at Chelsea, if his prospects of regular first-team football remain slim.
He told: “I am 33, I still have the legs and I have a body that will allow me to play a few more years. I have a healthy lifestyle and I feel good physically. I want to have fun and play more games. Chelsea is my priority but afterwards if in the end I am forced to make a choice, I will do it, like I did when I left Arsenal.”
Giroud has been sparingly used by Lampard during the opening months of the new season and things have recently become difficult with Michy Batshuayi preferred ahead of him from the bench on occasions. As such, there is the widespread speculation that Giroud may part ways with the Blues at the turn of the year and he could make a move to the Serie A, where Inter Milan are deemed to hold an interest.
Elsewhere, the Frenchman has openly talked about the ambition of playing in the United States but so far, he has yet to receive a tempting offer. Vancouver Whitecaps had recently made an approach but Giroud is understood to have rebuffed the advances, given he is keen on moving to either New York, Miami or Los Angeles.