When Olivier Giroud transferred from Chelsea last summer, many fans complained that we were getting another aging, injury-prone striker. Others worried he would fall victim to the curse of the number nine jersey, which had troubled players who had worn it since Pippo Inzaghi retired ten years ago. But Giroud knew that he could be very useful to Milan, and that Milan would give him the opportunity to prove that he still had what it takes. At the heart of it all was proving to Deschamps that he deserved to be at the World Cup this year for France, his third representing his country. Now, with Benzema injured, Giroud will take center stage for his national team. Because he has proven at Milan this past year that you can still count on Olivier Giroud, serial winner.
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| The man's career has been all about winning |
Some people simply have "it." And by "it," I mean the hunger for goals, the ability to score on the biggest of stages, in the biggest of games, and to win when it matters most. That kind of winning mentality is part of Giroud's DNA. He is as humble as he is competitive, but his goals were ever so important to Milan's Scudetto win last season. In fact, a couple of stalker-level Milan fans recently recounted how they personally thanked his family for his contributions, because they recognized what he did for the team in winning the league title.
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| He is not weighed down by success, it fuels him |
At 36 years old, he has won practically every trophy he could have possibly won. Here are the team trophies he has lifted between Montpelier, Arsenal, Chelsea, Milan, and France:
3 Community Shields
Ligue 1
Serie A
UEFA Europa League
UEFA Champions League
FIFA World Cup
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| Don't forget the glorious Telekom Cup |
Not only does he score important goals, he scores spectacular goals. Even at the youthful age of 36, he is still dazzling and amazing us, like he did with his spectacular acrobatic volley against Spezia earlier this month. Or the fabulous one against Bologna from August of this year. And it was his second goal in the Derby in February when he simply turned and shot to win that match, the one that many credit as the turning point for Milan to win the Scudetto. He also scored two of our three goals in our Scudetto-winning match vs. Sassuolo. Always in the big games.
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| From the spot... |
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In the air...
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| Or with incredible finesse, you can count on Giroud to score |
Last season, even with injuries and sharing the spotlight with Ibrahimović, Giroud racked up 11 goals and three assists for Milan in Serie A. This year, between the Champions League and Serie A, he already has nine goals and five assists for Milan. He is a goal scorer that Pioli can count on, and is not given enough credit for his assists or his contributions defensively, either. Now he will have the chance to not only look to defend his country's title, he will be chasing Thierry Henry's goalscoring record for France. With 49 goals, Giroud is just two goals shy of the French legend's all-time goals for his national team.
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| From unparalleled leadership... |
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| ... to passionate celebrations... what's not to love? |
Unlike England's Southgate being both blind and ignorant of all that Tomori has done and refusing to let him play for his country, Deschamps finally came around to realize the value of having a player like Giroud on his national team this year. As the reigning World Cup title holders, he needs a striker with the experience, humility, and leadership that Giroud can provide. Most of all, he needs a striker that he knows will score when it matters most – someone he can count on on the biggest stage in the biggest games. That player, as he has proven over and over again at Milan, is Olivier Giroud.
This post inspired by the music of "La Marseillaise"
Reviewed by Elaine
on
11:59 PM
Rating:
