Why Aston Villa should reignite their interest in Olivier Giroud

According to the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa were interested in signing French star Olivier Giroud in the January transfer window but a move didn’t happen.

Giroud, 33, came through Grenoble Foot 38’s youth ranks and played for Tours FC and Montpellier before moving to North London with Arsenal in 2012. In 253 appearances for the Gunners, he scored 105 goals and provided 41 assists, and was one of the key members of the squad in their rise to prominence, while winning the FA Cup and the English Super Cup thrice each.

He was signed by Chelsea in 2018 and was a regular under both Antonio Conte and Maurizio Sarri initially. However, since Frank Lampard took charge of the Blues, the Frenchman has lost his place in the starting XI, seeing limited game time. Now that he is into the final few months of his contract at Stamford Bridge, Aston Villa should prioritize signing Giroud in the summer.

Dean Smith’s men have suffered a terrible fate since their return to the top-flight as they are languishing in the relegation zone, two points away from safety. They have won just one of their last 7 league outings and are at risk of going back to the Championship if they don’t make a turnaround.

The Villans have scored just 34 goals so far, which is not enough for the Premier League. Summer signing Wesley Moraes scored just 5 goals before his season-ending injury. Jack Grealish is their top scorer with 7 goals.

However, Mbwana Samatta, who was signed in January, scored on his debut and looked to be in form. But he has now gone without a goal in the last three games. Borja Baston and Keinan Davis have also not been supportive in their roles. Therefore, to end their goalscoring woes, the manager should make a move for Chelsea’s Oliver Giroud.

The 33-year-old has immense experience in the Premier League and is still continuing to put in his best despite ageing. He was instrumental in Chelsea’s win over Liverpool in the FA Cup and has also scored 2 goals in his last three league outings, against Tottenham and Everton.

An out-and-out centre-forward, Giroud is capable of both scoring and creating chances for his teammates. He has been effective whenever he has come on from the bench this season and can get the much-needed goals for Villa.

Smith’s men have struggled to score regularly and the World Cup winner would certainly add value to their squad and his qualities cannot be doubted at all.

Read more

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Verdict

Villa should take the opportunity to lure the Frenchman, who would become a free agent in the summer after his contract comes to an end with the Blues. He would not only be a backup but can also be a regular starter given his current form.

Hence, it would be best for the Villans to revive their interest in Giroud, and bringing him to Villa Park would assure them quality in their frontline.