CHELSEA striker Olivier Giroud has only been outscored in Europe by Robert Lewandowski and Lionel Messi since the 2018/19 season.
The 34-year-old has banged in 16 goals in just 21 games for the Blues in that time – with four of those strikes coming in the 4-0 win against Sevilla on Wednesday night.
Incredibly, the France international has more goals in Europe than the Premier League for the Blues.
Since joining from Arsenal in January 2018, Giroud has scored just 13 times in 63 matches in the top-flight having often found himself starting from the bench.
But he has shown he is still capable of competing at the highest level as he looks to get more minutes under Frank Lampard.
Only Bayern Munich ace Lewandowski (26) and Barcelona legend Messi (18) have found the back of the net more times in Europe than Giroud in the last three campaign.
Giroud has scored the same amount as Borussia Dortmund talisman Erling Haaland.
Inter Milan star Romelu Lukaku and Hoffenheim striker Munas Dabbur are next on the list having each scored 15 times.
Five of Giroud’s European goals have come this term, while his other 11 strikes came in Chelsea’s victorious Europa League-winning season in 2019.
Another impressive stat showing just how deadly Giroud has been in Europe is that he has the same tally of goals as he did for Arsenal.
And he matched the number for Chelsea in 15 games less than what it took him for the Gunners in five-and-a-half-years.
Despite his man of the match performance against Sevilla, Giroud may find himself on the bench against Leeds on Saturday.
Asked about the possibility of starting at Stamford Bridge on the weekend, he said: “Just let me enjoy the night and the great win.
“After, we will rest and we’ll see what the gaffer’s plan is.”
Giroud – who is set to become a free agent next summer – has been linked with a move to Italy in January with Juventus and Inter Milan keen to sign him.
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