The transfer window that just shut had all the elements of moves made just to ensure players get places in the 2022 World Cup at their respective nations, with the competition set for about two months from now. More also stayed put hoping for about three good months that will convince their national team managers of their potentials and thus attract call-ups.
Olivier Giroud didn’t have any bids made for him but as he enters the final year of his current contract at AC Milan, he will be hoping for an explosive performance to convince Didier Deschamps that he is still his man. At 35, the Frenchman is confident he can still play a part at the national team, having been in and out of the team in recent years.
Giroud was part of the team that won the World Cup in 2018 in Russia with France but his chances have diminished since Deschamps opened the door again for Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema, who has gone on to establish a great understanding with Kylian Mbappe, another of the heroes of the 2018 World Cup.
In Benzema’s current form, against Giroud’s it will be a no-brainer picking on Benzema as the more likely to finish as top scorer in the World Cup predictions, and the analysis of France’s chances on SportyTrader will definitely capture this detail in a comparison of the two.
This doesn’t deny Giroud a chance in the team and so far in his period at Milan, he has proven that he is qualified on this aspect. His goal in the derby against Inter Milan in Serie A means he has now scored 13 goals in 25 starts for the Rossoneri in the Italian Serie A.
His Serie A title win with Milan last season is his first league victory since the year 2011/12 while with Montpellier, but that gap wouldn’t mean much for a player that has his name among the World Cup Winners.
The Frenchman has already promised to shave his trademark beard should he earn a spot in the team then go ahead to win his second straight World Cup title. He will have to convince Deschamps first that he deserves a place in the plane, and this may perhaps reduce him to competing with Antoine Griezmann, with Christopher Nkunku, Mbappe and Benzema seemingly assured of spots.
In France’s last four matches, Giroud was overlooked, and this is despite having scored in the 5-0 friendly match win over South Africa. Before France heads to the World Cup, the team has two matches in the UEFA Nations League and after a poor start to the competition, they will be looking to fasten a few bolts here. Giroud can take advantage of this if called up and bring in some goals.
In the history of France’s best scoring players, Giroud is just behind the all-time top scorer, Thierry Henry by three goals. He failed to score in the 2018 World Cup even though Deschamps termed him crucial to the team, but this is a stat Giroud will be keen on not repeating, should he get his place in the squad heading to Qatar.
I really believe that Olivier Giroud should get a call up for France ,his technical ability is second to none ,his hold up play is brilliant, and inside the 18 yard area he is explosive.
He scores Some amazing goals by being in the right place at the right time ,this is a great skill and not luck ..Just look at his present form for AC Milan ..