Former Chelsea and Arsenal forward Oliver Giroud has reportedly being accused of lacking commitment at the ongoing 2024 European Championship.
According to reports, France manager Didier Deschamps privately questioned the commitment and fitness of Olivier Giroud.
Undoubtedly one of the best players of his generation, Giroud has played important role in France achievement over the past few years. However, the former Chelsea star has only been used sparingly as a substitute so far this tournament.
Olivier Giroud salutes the supporters following the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between France and Poland (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Latest report from French outlet, L’Equipe states that Deschamps privately expressed reservations about whether the former Arsenal and Chelsea striker has the necessary fitness or commitment to play a big role for France this tournament.
Giroud, his nation’s record goal scorer, was also said to have reacted badly to not being picked against the Netherlands when Mbappe was unable to play.
The 37-year-old, however, has reportedly not aired his grievances in front of the rest of the team and has taken on an additional fitness regime as he looks to force his way into the manager’s starting lineup.
France were expected to top their group but they failed to do so. Austria won the group with France now set to face Belgium in the round of 16.
Despite the tough draw, Deschamps after the match against Poland believes his team will come out victorious against Belgium.
‘It is a new competition that is starting. You cannot always read a competition just from the group stage. We deserve to be second, I am satisfied,’ he said after their draw against Poland.
‘Now it [the competition] is going to be a little bit more down to the wire; now we’ve only got the big teams but that is the name of the game.
‘I would be a lot more concerned if we were not creating chances but obviously there is room for improvement.
‘It is a new competition that is starting for us and it will start on 1 July.
