Deschamps World Cup warning made Giroud switch to Chelsea

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London, Feb 5: New Chelsea signing Olivier Giroud has explained his move to Chelsea, saying the Frenchman wanted more playing time in order to make his country's World Cup squad after national team boss Didier Deschamps urged him to leave.

The French forward was limited to a starting role this season after the arrival of former Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette as manager Arsene Wenger mostly selected the senior forward in the Europa League this season. The forward had played only 389 minutes of Premier League football for Arsenal.

And after they decided to bring in another striker in Aubameyang, the former Arsenal number nine made the switch to the London side's arch-rivals Chelsea for £18 million for an 18 months deal with a fear of more less game time.

The 31-year-old now has suggested that with World Cup on the door, the forward was advised by the French national team boss Deschamps to move from London to a top side either on loan temporarily or on a permanent basis to have more game time if he is to keep his place in France's squad for the 2018 World Cup which he just supported.

“Deschamps didn't encourage me to join Chelsea, he encouraged me to change clubs,” Giroud told Telefoot.

“Everyone knows my attachment to the France side and every time I wear the shirt it's with a lot of pride.

“So of course I want to play the World Cup in Russia, which will surely be my last, so I need to give myself every chance.

“One week before the end of the transfer window, we spoke, yes. I needed to get his opinion, that's all.”

Giroud also suggested that he had offers from various clubs including Sevilla, Roma and Dortmund, however, a phone call with Chelsea boss Antonio Conte convinced him to join the rivals.

“My choice was simple,” Giroud added. “Last summer, I wanted to stay with Arsenal to try my luck even though Alex Lacazette arrived. The fact remains the coach wanted to recruit another centre-forward.

“With Aubameyang signing for Arsenal that would have made it at least three centre-forwards. That's the logic and why I decided to leave Arsenal.

“There's obviously a form of disappointment. But you can understand it. Even though I'd spent five and a half magnificent years there it was logical for my career to evolve and to find a new challenge.

“I could have stayed, but I needed solutions, I wanted to stay in the Premier League and Chelsea were a great option for me. There was Dortmund interested, but for a loan deal. There was Sevilla, and my agent received a call from Roma at one stage.

“But the choice was fairly clear and obvious from the moment I knew Antonio Conte wanted to work with me.”