‘I don’t think he fits’ – Exclusive: Campbell delivers Giroud-Everton transfer verdict
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Kevin Campbell has claimed that Olivier Giroud wouldn’t fit at Everton after an Athletic report suggested that Chelsea will let the 34-year-old leave in January.
Giroud reportedly wants to play regular first-team football before next summer’s European Championship so he can make the France squad and that isn’t currently the case at Chelsea.
Speaking to Goodison News, Campbell said, “You’re talking about a French World Cup winner and international. This guy’s got an incredible resume and an incredible goalscoring record.
“So I don’t think he’ll be going anywhere to back anybody up. I can tell you that much, if he does leave Chelsea he’ll be going somewhere to play.
“Of course he’d be an asset (to Everton) but he’s not going to go there to not play. Calvert-Lewin is one of the hottest strikers in Europe right now. They’ve also got Richarlison and James Rodriguez so where does Giroud fit? I don’t think he fits in at Everton.”
Giroud has been a bit-part striker at Chelsea since he arrived from Arsenal in January 2018.
He still has a decent goalscoring record with 30 goals in 96 competitive appearances for Chelsea in his three years at the club.
There is no doubting Giroud’s ability and at 34 he could still be a valuable asset to many Premier League clubs.
His eight Premier League goals in 18 league appearances last season certainly suggest he would be a better option than Cenk Tosun but as Campbell said, it is unlikely he would join a club where he would be playing second fiddle.
There are very few players who could displace Calvert-Lewin in the Everton team at the moment and Giroud isn’t one of them, so if the Toffees are on the hunt for a new striker in January it is unlikely that Giroud is their man.
In other Everton news, these Toffees were confused by Ancelotti’s formation in Saturday’s game against Leeds United.