France striker Olivier Giroud credits his switch from Arsenal to Chelsea for his improved goal scoring form for France ahead of World Cup. Giroud scored the opening goal against Republic of Ireland as the Didier Deschamps side win 2-0 at Stade de France on Monday.
Olivier Giroud admitted he had to move forward after his five year spell with the Gunners.
“I had to impose myself at Chelsea all the same,” he said to ESPN FC. “I’ve always been lucky enough to have made the right decisions, if I can say that. I’ve always felt that I’ve had good fortune in that way.
“It’s not just about making the right choice. You have to make your mark too. I had the chance to do that and I’m very happy. It’s a development in my career in terms of my club.
“I feel very good there and it was definitely a new challenge that was needed for my development, for the rest of my career, and also for the World Cup.
“I performed for Chelsea and that helped me keep my confidence up and to be in form so that I would be ready for France.”
Olivier Giroud celebrating his opener against Ireland
Giroud’s goal against Ireland was his 31st goal(in 72 appearances) for France , which brings his tally equal to Zinedine Zidane in fourth position on the list of all-time top goalscorers for France.
“I obviously feel very proud,” he said. “Zizou is a legend of French football and for me it’s clearly a great satisfaction on a personal level.
“But I don’t like talking about myself too much. Even if I’m keen to move up in this hierarchy, I owe it to the good work of my teammates as well.”
Since his move to Chelsea, he went past keeper three times in the Premier League – though he played crucial part in Chelsea’s triumph in FA Cup. Specially his goal against Southampton in Semi-finals of the FA Cup shows what a talent he possesses.
