Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte has been looking to boost
the team’s attacking line during the January transfer window. Sure, Alexis
Sanchez is set to return during the current month. But the former Juventus and
Chelsea tactician wants to add another attacking threat for the second half of
the season.
The current Serie A leaders have been relying heavily on
both Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez thus far. The results have been
encouraging – Lukaku has 14 goals in 18 Serie A outings, while Martinez has
netted nine times in 17 games – but the team needs more depth in the final
meters. And they have been linked with a move for Chelsea forward Olivier
Giroud.
 |
| Olivier Giroud |
The Frenchman has struggled for playing time at Chelsea, as
Tammy Abraham and Michy Batshuayi are ranked higher than him in Frank Lampard’s
pecking order. France’s manager Didier Deschamps advised Giroud to leave The
Blues if he wants to take part in the 2020 European Championships, and Inter
are reportedly interested in him. But there are two big questions that would
need to be answered.
How would Giroud fit
at Inter Milan?
This is the biggest question that comes up when analyzing
Giroud’s potential switch to Inter Milan. He is not going to overtake Lukaku or
Martinez as a starting forward, and he is probably going to fall behind Alexis
on the pecking order as well. At least on paper, Giroud will probably be
Inter’s fourth-best striker. That sounds like he is going to spend much of time
either on the bench, or entering during the second half.
That doesn’t change much from the role Giroud currently has
at Chelsea. He’s also coming off the bench or playing at an inconsistent rate
there.
Is Inter the move Giroud
needs to re-launch his career?
Based on what has been stated above, joining Inter might not
be what Giroud needs. He wants to play on a regular basis, and that doesn’t
seem likely at Inter. Unless either Lukaku or Martinez suffers an injury,
Giroud’s playing time could be scarce or limited.
Plus, that’s not what Deschamps advised the towering
striker. At this point and considering how the Frenchman has failed to play
regularly, it remains to be seen whether the manager will consider him for Les
Bleus during the upcoming 2020 European Championships. France do not have other
striker with his skill set. But why would he be selected if he’s not playing
enough at club level?
All things considered, Giroud needs to leave Chelsea as soon
as possible. But it’s unclear whether joining Inter is the move he really
needs. Especially to gain the first-team minutes he has been looking for since
the start of the 2019-20 season.
Comments
Post a Comment