Would Olivier Giroud Become A Good Fit At Inter Milan?

Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte has been looking to boost the team’s attacking line during the January transfer window. Sure, Alexis Sanchez is set to return during the current month. But the former Juventus and Chelsea tactician wants to add another attacking threat for the second half of the season.

The current Serie A leaders have been relying heavily on both Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez thus far. The results have been encouraging – Lukaku has 14 goals in 18 Serie A outings, while Martinez has netted nine times in 17 games – but the team needs more depth in the final meters. And they have been linked with a move for Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud.

The Frenchman has struggled for playing time at Chelsea, as Tammy Abraham and Michy Batshuayi are ranked higher than him in Frank Lampard’s pecking order. France’s manager Didier Deschamps advised Giroud to leave The Blues if he wants to take part in the 2020 European Championships, and Inter are reportedly interested in him. But there are two big questions that would need to be answered.

How would Giroud fit at Inter Milan?

This is the biggest question that comes up when analyzing Giroud’s potential switch to Inter Milan. He is not going to overtake Lukaku or Martinez as a starting forward, and he is probably going to fall behind Alexis on the pecking order as well. At least on paper, Giroud will probably be Inter’s fourth-best striker. That sounds like he is going to spend much of time either on the bench, or entering during the second half.

That doesn’t change much from the role Giroud currently has at Chelsea. He’s also coming off the bench or playing at an inconsistent rate there.

Is Inter the move Giroud needs to re-launch his career?

Based on what has been stated above, joining Inter might not be what Giroud needs. He wants to play on a regular basis, and that doesn’t seem likely at Inter. Unless either Lukaku or Martinez suffers an injury, Giroud’s playing time could be scarce or limited.

Plus, that’s not what Deschamps advised the towering striker. At this point and considering how the Frenchman has failed to play regularly, it remains to be seen whether the manager will consider him for Les Bleus during the upcoming 2020 European Championships. France do not have other striker with his skill set. But why would he be selected if he’s not playing enough at club level?

All things considered, Giroud needs to leave Chelsea as soon as possible. But it’s unclear whether joining Inter is the move he really needs. Especially to gain the first-team minutes he has been looking for since the start of the 2019-20 season.