Frank Lampard has promised Olivier Giroud will get more game-time at Chelsea as he bids to keep hold of the striker in the January transfer window.
Giroud’s majestic injury-time header, having come off the bench, booked Chelsea’s place in the knockout stages of the Champions League as they beat Rennes 2-1 on Tuesday.
The Frenchman has struggled to break into Lampard’s starting XI with Tammy Abraham scoring in three consecutive games ahead of the trip to France.
Giroud says he will make a decision on his Chelsea future in the January transfer window amid concerns over a lack of game time – but boss Lampard has reiterated his stance, in that he wants the striker to stay.
The Blues head coach has insisted Giroud is part of his plans after the striker said this week his lack of minutes is “concerning”, especially as he battles for a place in France’s squad for the upcoming European Championships.
“I have a problem because I’ve got Tammy who is playing well and obviously he did last year as well,” Lampard told BT Sport.
“And Oli, who always contributes in that way with that professionalism. I have two players in a similar position fighting for a place.
“That’s a good problem. Oli will get his minutes because we have a busy schedule, we play every few days. I made a few changes today because I felt he had to get the freshness in the team.
“I think the reason you see such a reaction around the goal, not only was it in the last minute but someone like Oli you see how he acts day in, day out and it shows you what he means to this team.”
