AC Milan on Saturday announced the signing of Olivier Jonathan Giroud on a permanent transfer from Chelsea FC."The French striker will be wearing the number 9 jersey," the club said in an official statement.

Born in Chambery (France) on September 30, 1986, Olivier Giroud spent his youth career with Grenoble and made his first-team debut in 2005.After playing for Istres and Tours, Giroud moved to Ligue 1 club Montpellier, where he scored 39 goals in 85 appearances in two years and where he won the league in 2011/12.

In the summer of 2012, he moved to Arsenal, with whom he scored 105 goals in 253 games, winning 3 FA Cups and 3 Community Shields.In Januray 2018, Giroud moved to Chelsea FC, with whom he scored 39 goals in 119 appearances, winning one Champions League, one Europa League and one FA Cup.

Giroud made his debut with the France senior squad in November 2011, scoring 46 goals in 110 appearances and winning the World Cup in 2018.&nbsp;

AC Milan on Saturday announced the signing of Olivier Jonathan Giroud on a permanent transfer from Chelsea FC."The French striker will be wearing the number 9 jersey," the club said in an official statement.

AC Milan on Saturday announced the signing of Olivier Jonathan Giroud on a permanent transfer from Chelsea FC."The French striker will be wearing the number 9 jersey," the club said in an official statement. Born in Chambery (France) on September 30, 1986, Olivier Giroud spent his youth career with Grenoble and made his first-team debut in 2005.After playing for Istres and Tours, Giroud moved to Ligue 1 club Montpellier, where he scored 39 goals in 85 appearances in two years and where he won the league in 2011/12. In the summer of 2012, he moved to Arsenal, with whom he scored 105 goals in 253 games, winning 3 FA Cups and 3 Community Shields.In Januray 2018, Giroud moved to Chelsea FC, with whom he scored 39 goals in 119 appearances, winning one Champions League, one Europa League and one FA Cup. Giroud made his debut with the France senior squad in November 2011, scoring 46 goals in 110 appearances and winning the World Cup in 2018.

AC Milan sign Olivier Giroud from Chelsea

France may need to change their usual slow-burn approach to tournaments at Euro 2020, but with the unexpected inclusion of Karim Benzema in the squad, the world champions have what it takes to go all the way.

Les Bleus traditionally stutter in their opening matches, but will have no such luxury at Euro 2020 where they start their campaign against Germany in Munich in Group F, which also features holders Portugal and Hungary.

Failure to win their first encounter would put huge pressure on the team and likely lead to a must-win last game against Portugal, who beat them in the Euro 2016 final in France.

"Playing against Germany in Munich, we know what to expect. We'll have to be at our very best from the start," said coach Didier Deschamps.

When they won the World Cup in 2018, France had to dig deep to beat Australia in their first game, and needed a last-gasp Dimitri Payet winner in another lacklustre performance to defeat Romania in the curtain-raiser for Euro 2016.

France have, however, acquired massive amounts of experience from their Euro 2016 and 2018 World Cup campaigns under Deschamps, himself a Euro 2000 and World Cup 1998 winner with Les Bleus in his playing days.

In a surprise move by Deschamps, France bolstered their attacking options by calling up Benzema for the first time since 2015. It will be the Real Madrid striker's first tournament with France since the 2014 World Cup.

A blackmail scandal - over which Benzema faces trial in October - and his 2016 comment that Deschamps had "bowed to the pressure of a racist part of France" when leaving the player, a Muslim of Algerian descent, out of the European Championship squad that year had put his international career into a deep freeze.

Yet Deschamps ended the player's exile by including him in a squad that will give nightmares to their opponents' defences.

Since Benzema last featured for France, Kylian Mbappe has emerged as one of the most exciting talents in recent years, Olivier Giroud has proved reliable despite a lack of playing time at his club Chelsea while Antoine Griezmann has developed into a key player in attack.

One of them, probably Giroud, will have to make way for Benzema, who scored 30 goals for Real Madrid in all competitions this season.

"I'm not going to complain that I have a lot of choices," said Deschamps, who also has the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Kingsley Coman, Marcus Thuram and Wissam Ben Yedder at his disposal.

"I have a lot of attacking players because I think that it's where we can make a difference. We'll have to find the right balance."

Deschamps is certainly hoping that firepower up front can compensate for the defence's potential weaknesses.

Raphael Varane had a tough season at Real Madrid while Presnel Kimpembe and Clement Lenglet's performances have not been convincing enough to make either one of them a certain starter in central defence.

They will, however, be shielded by a dominant midfield, which should feature the indefatigable N'Golo Kante and a wiser Paul Pogba, who are equipped to weather any storm that might come at them.

France may need to change their usual slow-burn approach to tournaments at Euro 2020, but with the unexpected inclusion of Karim Benzema in the squad, the world champions have what it takes to go all the way.

France may need to change their usual slow-burn approach to tournaments at Euro 2020, but with the unexpected inclusion of Karim Benzema in the squad, the world champions have what it takes to go all the way. Les Bleus traditionally stutter in their opening matches, but will have no such luxury at Euro 2020 where they start their campaign against Germany in Munich in Group F, which also features holders Portugal and Hungary. Failure to win their first encounter would put huge pressure on the team and likely lead to a must-win last game against Portugal, who beat them in the Euro 2016 final in France. "Playing against Germany in Munich, we know what to expect. We'll have to be at our very best from the start," said coach Didier Deschamps. When they won the World Cup in 2018, France had to dig deep to beat Australia in their first game, and needed a last-gasp Dimitri Payet winner in another lacklustre performance to defeat Romania in the curtain-raiser for Euro 2016. France have, however, acquired massive amounts of experience from their Euro 2016 and 2018 World Cup campaigns under Deschamps, himself a Euro 2000 and World Cup 1998 winner with Les Bleus in his playing days. In a surprise move by Deschamps, France bolstered their attacking options by calling up Benzema for the first time since 2015. It will be the Real Madrid striker's first tournament with France since the 2014 World Cup. A blackmail scandal - over which Benzema faces trial in October - and his 2016 comment that Deschamps had "bowed to the pressure of a racist part of France" when leaving the player, a Muslim of Algerian descent, out of the European Championship squad that year had put his international career into a deep freeze. Yet Deschamps ended the player's exile by including him in a squad that will give nightmares to their opponents' defences. Since Benzema last featured for France, Kylian Mbappe has emerged as one of the most exciting talents in recent years, Olivier Giroud has proved reliable despite a lack of playing time at his club Chelsea while Antoine Griezmann has developed into a key player in attack. One of them, probably Giroud, will have to make way for Benzema, who scored 30 goals for Real Madrid in all competitions this season. "I'm not going to complain that I have a lot of choices," said Deschamps, who also has the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Kingsley Coman, Marcus Thuram and Wissam Ben Yedder at his disposal. "I have a lot of attacking players because I think that it's where we can make a difference. We'll have to find the right balance." Deschamps is certainly hoping that firepower up front can compensate for the defence's potential weaknesses. Raphael Varane had a tough season at Real Madrid while Presnel Kimpembe and Clement Lenglet's performances have not been convincing enough to make either one of them a certain starter in central defence. They will, however, be shielded by a dominant midfield, which should feature the indefatigable N'Golo Kante and a wiser Paul Pogba, who are equipped to weather any storm that might come at them.

Football: Slow-burn approach not an option for France, but Benzema adds fire up front

France's efforts to celebrate their qualification for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-czechs-clinch-euro-2020-spot-with-2-1-win-over-kosovo-262227">Euro 2020</a> were almost spoiled by Moldova, with an Olivier Giroud penalty sparing their blushes as they came from behind to win 2-1 and go top of Group H on Thursday.

Turkey's scoreless draw with Iceland earlier in the evening ensured they and world champions France would qualify from the group, but the Moldovans were intent on spoiling the French party.

The visitors took the lead in the ninth minute when France defender Clement Lenglet followed up a bad defensive header with an even worse one, giving Moldovan striker Vadim Rata the chance to poke the ball home.

France equalised in controversial circumstances in the 35th minute as Giroud contested with Moldova keeper Alexei Cosele for a free kick lifted into the box, forcing Cosele to spill the ball for Raphael Varane to head into an empty net.

The Moldova players protested vehemently that their keeper was fouled by Giroud, but Lithuanian referee Gediminas Mazeika waved away the protests and allowed the goal to stand.

Despite the glittering array of attacking players at their disposal, France struggled to break down the dogged Moldovans, and it took a 79th-minute Giroud penalty for a foul on Lucas Digne to secure the three points.

Elsewhere in the group, Albania had to come from behind to grab a 2-2 draw at home to Andorra.

France, who travel to Albania for their final game, top Group H on 22 points, two ahead of Turkey, who host Andorra to round off their qualifying campaign.

France's efforts to celebrate their qualification for Euro 2020 were almost spoiled by Moldova, with an Olivier Giroud penalty sparing their blushes as they came from behind to win 2-1 and go top of Group H on Thursday.

France's efforts to celebrate their qualification for Euro 2020 were almost spoiled by Moldova, with an Olivier Giroud penalty sparing their blushes as they came from behind to win 2-1 and go top of Group H on Thursday. Turkey's scoreless draw with Iceland earlier in the evening ensured they and world champions France would qualify from the group, but the Moldovans were intent on spoiling the French party. The visitors took the lead in the ninth minute when France defender Clement Lenglet followed up a bad defensive header with an even worse one, giving Moldovan striker Vadim Rata the chance to poke the ball home. France equalised in controversial circumstances in the 35th minute as Giroud contested with Moldova keeper Alexei Cosele for a free kick lifted into the box, forcing Cosele to spill the ball for Raphael Varane to head into an empty net. The Moldova players protested vehemently that their keeper was fouled by Giroud, but Lithuanian referee Gediminas Mazeika waved away the protests and allowed the goal to stand. Despite the glittering array of attacking players at their disposal, France struggled to break down the dogged Moldovans, and it took a 79th-minute Giroud penalty for a foul on Lucas Digne to secure the three points. Elsewhere in the group, Albania had to come from behind to grab a 2-2 draw at home to Andorra. France, who travel to Albania for their final game, top Group H on 22 points, two ahead of Turkey, who host Andorra to round off their qualifying campaign.

Euro 2020 qualifiers: Giroud spot kick gives France hard-fought win over Moldova

Chelsea lift the Europa League cup as Hazard scores twice as parting gift

Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud wants to move back to France when his contract expires at the end of the season after growing frustrated by a lack of playing time under manager Maurizio Sarri.

Giroud has not started a Premier League game for Chelsea since the club signed Argentina international striker Gonzalo Higuain in January.

"The future may be hectic this summer," Giroud told French radio station RTL. "I'm not afraid to go down a level to have more playing time. It could be I end my career in France."

The striker, who won the World Cup with France last year, scored 33 goals in 73 league appearances for Montpellier before moving to Arsenal in 2012, and has attracted interest from Olympique Lyonnais, according to reports in the French media.

The 32-year-old has been used mainly in the Europa League by Sarri and is the competition's top scorer this season with nine goals in nine appearances, but does not believe he can force his way into the Italian coach's Premier League plans.

"Today, I have the impression there's clearly no competition (for places in attack) since January. It's like that, I know that I will only play in the Europa League," Giroud added.

"I try to do what it takes to be as effective and as important as I can for the team."

Chelsea are sixth in the Premier League, three points below the fourth and final Champions League qualification place currently occupied by Arsenal.

Sarri's side could also secure Champions League football for next season by winning the Europa League, where they face Slavia Prague in the quarter-finals.

Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud wants to move back to France when his contract expires at the end of the season after growing frustrated by a lack of playing time under manager Maurizio Sarri.

Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud wants to move back to France when his contract expires at the end of the season after growing frustrated by a lack of playing time under manager Maurizio Sarri. Giroud has not started a Premier League game for Chelsea since the club signed Argentina international striker Gonzalo Higuain in January. "The future may be hectic this summer," Giroud told French radio station RTL. "I'm not afraid to go down a level to have more playing time. It could be I end my career in France." The striker, who won the World Cup with France last year, scored 33 goals in 73 league appearances for Montpellier before moving to Arsenal in 2012, and has attracted interest from Olympique Lyonnais, according to reports in the French media. The 32-year-old has been used mainly in the Europa League by Sarri and is the competition's top scorer this season with nine goals in nine appearances, but does not believe he can force his way into the Italian coach's Premier League plans. "Today, I have the impression there's clearly no competition (for places in attack) since January. It's like that, I know that I will only play in the Europa League," Giroud added. "I try to do what it takes to be as effective and as important as I can for the team." Chelsea are sixth in the Premier League, three points below the fourth and final Champions League qualification place currently occupied by Arsenal. Sarri's side could also secure Champions League football for next season by winning the Europa League, where they face Slavia Prague in the quarter-finals.

Chelsea's Giroud seeks France return to boost game time

France ended the group stage of Euro 2016 in the position they wanted but their coach still seems to be looking for the right formula to bring the best out of a team with high expectations. 
 
Didier Deschamps has been tinkering with the team formula since the start of the tournament, making five changes for Sunday&#39;s goalless draw with Switzerland that allowed the host nation to win their group. 
 
France, who have plenty of talent up front, showed potential in the second half against Albania and in the first against Switzerland but they are yet to produce a full-match performance suggesting they could trouble the big guns. 
 
All they have done so far is win one of the weakest groups in the tournament and it remains to be seen how their back four, arguably their weakest point, will hold against more dangerous opponents. 
 
An astute tactician, Deschamps surprised many observers when he left midfielder Paul Pogba and striker Antoine Griezmann, regarded as France&#39;s most dangerous weapons, on the bench for the opening half against Albania. 
 
With his side struggling in a 4-2-3-1 formation, the coach reacted swiftly by sending on Pogba, and then Griezmann and reverting to a 4-3-3 system that eventually wore down Albania&#39;s defence. 
 
There was another surprise on Sunday when Dimitri Payet, who was instrumental in France&#39;s first two wins with a great goal in each, started on the bench, leaving his spot in the starting 11 to Kingsley Coman. 
 
Deschamps will have been pleased with a few things he saw against Switzerland, notably the fact that Pogba, who was all over the pitch in the first half, showed his class at last after subdued displays in his first two outings. 
 
With Pogba in that form and more of the same from Payet, France, will now almost certainly keep relying on a 4-3-3 formation which is working much better for them, and could step up a gear in the knockout stages. 
 
The pair of Laurent Koscielny and Adil Rami now looking safer after showing signs of nerves in warm-up games and against Romania, the defence is less of a worry for Deschamps, even if left back Patrice Evra is looking his age and might be targeted by opponents to come. 
 
Deschamps, who captained France to victory at the 1998 World Cup and at the European Championship two years later, has a reputation for changing everything he touches into gold. 
 
He&#39;s not quite at that level yet at this tournament but there are a few signs suggesting he is moving in the right direction. 
 
(Reuters)

The win ensured that the host nation ended at the top of their group

France ended the group stage of Euro 2016 in the position they wanted but their coach still seems to be looking for the right formula to bring the best out of a team with high expectations. Didier Deschamps has been tinkering with the team formula since the start of the tournament, making five changes for Sunday's goalless draw with Switzerland that allowed the host nation to win their group. France, who have plenty of talent up front, showed potential in the second half against Albania and in the first against Switzerland but they are yet to produce a full-match performance suggesting they could trouble the big guns. All they have done so far is win one of the weakest groups in the tournament and it remains to be seen how their back four, arguably their weakest point, will hold against more dangerous opponents. An astute tactician, Deschamps surprised many observers when he left midfielder Paul Pogba and striker Antoine Griezmann, regarded as France's most dangerous weapons, on the bench for the opening half against Albania. With his side struggling in a 4-2-3-1 formation, the coach reacted swiftly by sending on Pogba, and then Griezmann and reverting to a 4-3-3 system that eventually wore down Albania's defence. There was another surprise on Sunday when Dimitri Payet, who was instrumental in France's first two wins with a great goal in each, started on the bench, leaving his spot in the starting 11 to Kingsley Coman. Deschamps will have been pleased with a few things he saw against Switzerland, notably the fact that Pogba, who was all over the pitch in the first half, showed his class at last after subdued displays in his first two outings. With Pogba in that form and more of the same from Payet, France, will now almost certainly keep relying on a 4-3-3 formation which is working much better for them, and could step up a gear in the knockout stages. The pair of Laurent Koscielny and Adil Rami now looking safer after showing signs of nerves in warm-up games and against Romania, the defence is less of a worry for Deschamps, even if left back Patrice Evra is looking his age and might be targeted by opponents to come. Deschamps, who captained France to victory at the 1998 World Cup and at the European Championship two years later, has a reputation for changing everything he touches into gold. He's not quite at that level yet at this tournament but there are a few signs suggesting he is moving in the right direction. (Reuters)

France home and dry after goalless draw with Switzerland

Hosts France enjoyed an uplifting start to Euro 2016 as Dimitri Payet&#39;s superb last-gasp strike bailed out Les Bleus in a 2-1 victory over a stubborn Romania side at the Stade de France on a peaceful night in the capital on Friday. 
 
Starting the month-long tournament amid strikes to protest against a labour law and terror fears seven months after Islamic attacks on Paris killed 130, the national team lightened the mood thanks to Payet&#39;s 20-metre drive into the top corner. 
 
Didier Deschamps&#39; team seemed to be heading for a gloomy draw but a moment of magic from talismanic West Ham United player Payet left the home fans celebrating a memorable win on a serene Paris evening to get the finals off to a fine start. 
 
There were no incidents reported in and around the stadium, where there was a heavy security presence, or at the fan zone, where some 90,000 people were expected to watch the Group A game on giant screens near the Eiffel tower. 
 
French president Francois Hollande, who last November was rushed away from the stadium with German Chancellor Angela Merkel after suicide bombers detonated devices near the arena, was seen shaking hands with fans on his way out on Friday. 
 
Security was tight at the Stade de France and fans had been urged to arrive early to have time to go through a double security perimeter with two successive security checks under the watchful eyes of armed police with bulletproof vests. 
 
There were only cheers inside the stadium, however, as Payet wrapped up the three points following Olivier Giroud&#39;s headed opening goal for the hosts just before the hour that was cancelled out by Bogdan Stancu&#39;s penalty eight minutes later. 
 
A kitsch opening ceremony, featuring about 100 can-can dancers, a techno cover of Edith Piaf&#39;s &#39;La Vie En Rose&#39; and aerobatics by the Patrouille de France jets, launched the event. 
 
France had not played a competitive game in two years and Romania, who had only conceded twice in the qualifying campaign, were a stern reminder that Les Bleus need to be on their toes if they are to win a first title since their Euro 2000 triumph. 
 
&quot;Had we won by two or three goals that might have misled us slightly whereas the fact we won late in the day, that shows there are going to be no easy matches,&quot; man-of-the-match Payet told reporters. 
 
France, who top the group ahead of Saturday&#39;s clash between Albania and Switzerland, got off to a nervous start, looking a pale shadow of the team who breezed past their recent opponents. 
 
Captain Hugo Lloris had to make a point-blank save early on and France failed to manage a shot on target in the first half. 
 
After 57 minutes Giroud silenced his critics when he headed home from Payet&#39;s cross after Romania keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu completely missed the ball as he jumped with the France striker. 
 
Eight minutes later, however, Stancu coolly converted a penalty after Patrice Evra&#39;s clumsy foul on Nicolae Stanciu. 
 
However, the impressive Payet, who had been behind almost every France opportunity, was on hand to save the day. 
 
Collecting the ball from N&#39;Golo Kante, Payet cut inside and struck a vicious drive into the top corner, sending the crowd into raptures. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s quite easy in football when you can bang it into the top corner. It solves quite a lot of problems,&quot; said Deschamps. 
 
&quot;The opening match of a competition is bit like playing in a cup final so we were maybe just a little bit timid in the opening 25 minutes... we put four attacking players on the pitch to try to grind out the victory.&quot; 
 
France next take on Albania in Marseille on Wednesday after Romania play Switzerland in Paris. 
 
On Saturday England take on Russia in Group B amid fears of trouble between their fans in Marseille, where there was a stand-off between supporters on Friday, 18 years after England followers caused chaos in the Port city at the World Cup.

The hosts downed a stubborn Romanian side 2-1

Hosts France enjoyed an uplifting start to Euro 2016 as Dimitri Payet's superb last-gasp strike bailed out Les Bleus in a 2-1 victory over a stubborn Romania side at the Stade de France on a peaceful night in the capital on Friday. Starting the month-long tournament amid strikes to protest against a labour law and terror fears seven months after Islamic attacks on Paris killed 130, the national team lightened the mood thanks to Payet's 20-metre drive into the top corner. Didier Deschamps' team seemed to be heading for a gloomy draw but a moment of magic from talismanic West Ham United player Payet left the home fans celebrating a memorable win on a serene Paris evening to get the finals off to a fine start. There were no incidents reported in and around the stadium, where there was a heavy security presence, or at the fan zone, where some 90,000 people were expected to watch the Group A game on giant screens near the Eiffel tower. French president Francois Hollande, who last November was rushed away from the stadium with German Chancellor Angela Merkel after suicide bombers detonated devices near the arena, was seen shaking hands with fans on his way out on Friday. Security was tight at the Stade de France and fans had been urged to arrive early to have time to go through a double security perimeter with two successive security checks under the watchful eyes of armed police with bulletproof vests. There were only cheers inside the stadium, however, as Payet wrapped up the three points following Olivier Giroud's headed opening goal for the hosts just before the hour that was cancelled out by Bogdan Stancu's penalty eight minutes later. A kitsch opening ceremony, featuring about 100 can-can dancers, a techno cover of Edith Piaf's 'La Vie En Rose' and aerobatics by the Patrouille de France jets, launched the event. France had not played a competitive game in two years and Romania, who had only conceded twice in the qualifying campaign, were a stern reminder that Les Bleus need to be on their toes if they are to win a first title since their Euro 2000 triumph. "Had we won by two or three goals that might have misled us slightly whereas the fact we won late in the day, that shows there are going to be no easy matches," man-of-the-match Payet told reporters. France, who top the group ahead of Saturday's clash between Albania and Switzerland, got off to a nervous start, looking a pale shadow of the team who breezed past their recent opponents. Captain Hugo Lloris had to make a point-blank save early on and France failed to manage a shot on target in the first half. After 57 minutes Giroud silenced his critics when he headed home from Payet's cross after Romania keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu completely missed the ball as he jumped with the France striker. Eight minutes later, however, Stancu coolly converted a penalty after Patrice Evra's clumsy foul on Nicolae Stanciu. However, the impressive Payet, who had been behind almost every France opportunity, was on hand to save the day. Collecting the ball from N'Golo Kante, Payet cut inside and struck a vicious drive into the top corner, sending the crowd into raptures. "It's quite easy in football when you can bang it into the top corner. It solves quite a lot of problems," said Deschamps. "The opening match of a competition is bit like playing in a cup final so we were maybe just a little bit timid in the opening 25 minutes... we put four attacking players on the pitch to try to grind out the victory." France next take on Albania in Marseille on Wednesday after Romania play Switzerland in Paris. On Saturday England take on Russia in Group B amid fears of trouble between their fans in Marseille, where there was a stand-off between supporters on Friday, 18 years after England followers caused chaos in the Port city at the World Cup.

France start Euro 2016 party with win over Romania

giroud

Giroud, News on Giroud, stories on Giroud, articles on Giroud, Giroud stories at Wion, Giroud news, Giroud latest news