Frank Lampard was delighted with Olivier Giroud after the forward came off the bench to score the winner for Chelsea against Rennes.
Olivier Giroud came off the bench to secure a much needed win for Chelsea away to Rennes in the Champions League.
The Blues took the lead early on in the first half through Hudson-Odoi and that goal looked to be enough to win the game but it wasn’t so.
Rennes pulled one back through Guirassy in the 85th minute but Giroud, who came on in the 68th minute, grabbed a stoppage time winner to seal a 2-1 victory for Chelsea.
For a good part of last week, reports emerged that the Frenchman could consider leaving the club due to lack of game time. Lampard came out to dismiss those reports, saying the 34-year-old remains a key part of the Blues’ squad.
To that effect, it was no surprise to see Lampard say the goal for Giroud couldn’t have come at a better time.
“That was great from him.” the Chelsea boss said as per the club’s website.
“Not only that but his hold-up play when he came on, his physicality. I have selection issues because I have Tammy who is playing well, and Oli who always contributes in that way with that professionalism and was incredible in Restart. It’s a good problem.”
“Oli will get his minutes, he will start matches because we have a busy schedule. You saw such a reaction around the goal not only because it was a last-minute winner but because it was Oli, who acts like he does every day. It shows what he means to this team.”
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