When a player is desperate for playing time, they are sometimes presented with ultimatums where they might have to choose between their career and the sentimental side of football. Olivier Giroud was one of the latest players to have that decision in front of him.
Football.London relayed the remarks made by the veteran striker, who opened up about his free transfer from Chelsea to AC Milan. However, the France international shared that he had an opportunity to join Tottenham Hotspur.
Ex-manager Jose Mourinho was interested in Giroud, and the striker pondered a move to north London to have more playing time. However, the whole having played for Arsenal, where he spent six years of his career, stopped him from pursuing that option.
“I wanted to leave, but [Frank] Lampard told me that he needed a replacement,” Giroud said. “He promised me that I would have had more chances and gave me the opportunity to do so; I think I scored eight goals in the final ten games of the season. At that time, Italian clubs were very interested.”
Giroud eventually left for Serie A and found a new lease on life with AC Milan last season. The 35-year-old scored 14 goals and recorded four assists in 38 appearances, helping Milan lift the Scudetto.
He must have been desperate.. Almost as desperate as we were!