CHELSEA FC EXTEND CONTRACT OF OLIVIER GIROUD TO KEEP THE STRIKER AT THE CLUB TILL THE END OF 2020/21 SEASON

Chelsea have taken up an option to extend Olivier Giroud’s contract, keeping the France striker at Stamford Bridge until the end of the 2020-21 season.

Having been out of favour for much of the season, Giroud was close to leaving Chelsea in the January transfer window, but remained at the club with Frank Lampard unable to find a replacement forward.

An injury to Tammy Abraham then allowed Giroud a run in the first team, during which he put in a series of impressive performances before the season was halted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Giroud was one of several senior Chelsea players whose contracts was set to expire this summer. Earlier on Wednesday goalkeeper Willy Caballero’s deal was also extended by a year, but the futures of wingers Willian and Pedro remain unclear.

The 33-year-old spent five-and-a-half seasons at Arsenal before joining Chelsea in January 2018, and has gone on to score 21 goals in 76 appearances for the west London club.

Despite having failed to hold down a regular starting role at Stamford Bridge, Giroud has flourished for the France national team, playing a key role as Didier Deschamps side won the 2018 World Cup in Russia.