Giroud: Higuaín arrival "casts shadow" over Chelsea future

Olivier Giroud has admitted that Chelsea’s signing of Gonzalo Higuaín has cast a doubt over his future at the London club.

With the imminent departure of Álvaro Morata to Atlético Madrid, Chelsea decided to strengthen their front line by signing Higuaín on loan with the option to purchase from Juventus in the January window.

The Argentine striker had been on loan at AC Milan, but after an underwhelming spell at the San Siro, makes the switch to Stamford Bridge, where he will wear the number ‘9’ shirt until at least the end of the season.

Giroud ponders return to France

Concerned about his position following Higuaín’s acquisition, Giroud, who becomes a free agent in the summer, said he will consider his future at Chelsea and hinted at a return to France, in a candid interview with Canal+ France.

"If the club decides to sign another striker, like Higuaín, it will affect me, it will certainly cast a shadow over my future at Chelsea. I will be free in June, I will see the decision I have to make. I have never said 'no' to a return to France. Lyon and Marseille are two great clubs. My priority is to stay in the Premier League, but let's see,” said the French striker.

"Even though I didn’t score in the World Cup, I'm the fourth highest scorer in the history of French football; nobody will take that from me.”

After being officially presented to Chelsea’s supporters before their EFL Cup clash with Tottenham last Thursday, Higuaín made his debut from the start for The Blues on Sunday against Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup – a game in which Giroud played just eight minutes off the bench.

Giroud, 32, has seen himself out of favour since the arrival of coach Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge in the summer, and has started just six of Chelsea’s 23 Premier League games this season. And his lack of game time, coupled with the arrival of Higuaín, has prompted him to seriously consider the exit door.