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Chelsea chief Marina Granovskaia has another transfer problem to solve in January
Chelsea were one of the busiest Premier League clubs in the summer transfer window.
Olivier Giroud has been ‘incredible’ says Frank Lampard
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has reportedly made it clear that he will look to leave in January, meaning transfer chief Marina Granovskaia has a decision to make in the next few weeks. Giroud was strongly linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge last January after struggling to break into Frank Lampard's starting line-up on a regular basis.
Chelsea were willing to let him leave, but only if a replacement was signed.
A number of strikers were linked with joining Chelsea, but they failed to find the right option at the price they were looking for.
It meant Giroud was denied his chance to leave but he was soon brought into the first team after Tammy Abraham fell out of favour under Lampard.
Giroud ended up scoring an impressive eight goals in the final 13 league games to help Chelsea secure a top-four finish.
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But the 34-year-old has once again dropped down the pecking order this season following the arrival of Timo Werner.
He's made just a handful of appearances off the bench in the Premier League and Champions League.
And Football London claim Giroud has one eye on leaving in January to make sure of his place in France's squad for next summer's European Championships.
Inter Milan have been long linked with signing the striker and Granovskaia will likely have to make a decision on whether to let him leave this time around.
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Speaking last week, Lampard praised Giroud for his professionalism within the group.
"He has given a typically great response to train as well as possible and support the group," he said.
"He is amazing around the group and that is just a fact with Oli and maybe not a fact with people all around the team.
"I can't speak highly enough of him on that side. It is part of my job I don't like with good players, top people who are around the group that don't always play. But I have those issues.
"Tammy Abraham started at least half of the games last season and he was one of the top scorers in the Premier League.
"When Oli came in, he performed very well in the restart for us which was a huge factor in us getting into the top four.
"I have difficult questions to answer and selections in the team. I have great professionals and Oli is absolutely showing that."