Player Introduction
There are many players who seem to fly under the radar during the course of their careers. Most people call these types of players “underrated.” Underrated is a strong word, and most of the time people are wrong about a player actually being underrated. Players such as Mbappe, Ronaldo, Neymar and so on are not underrated as they are all fairly rated. Most players of certain stature get the respect they deserve and the popularity from it except for some specific cases. Today I will be talking about one of those exceptions who has been dominating since he touched a soccer field. This player I am referring to is Olivier Giroud. Giroud has had one of the craziest careers yet it seems as if most people are not talking about it enough.
Giroud as of now
This year Giroud is 36 years old and is a starting striker for AC Milan. Milan has seen great success in the last couple seasons with them winning Serie A for the first time in 11 years! They are also second place right now in the league. This success has been a factor of many things but most importantly their striker has helped them to see these accomplishments. Giroud has already helped score vital goals for Milian including two in a Champions League game which brought them to the round of 16 for the first time since 2013. Overall, it is clear that Giroud has made an impact for Milan even at 36 years old. Giroud has always been like this however and isn’t just now seeing success. He dominated when he was younger from Ligue 1 to the Premier League.
Giroud’s Career
Giroud started off his career at Grenoble in France where he signed his first professional contract at 21. He stated that this first contract was a vital part to his development. He became very important to Grenoble’s reserve team by scoring 15 goals in 15 games. He was called up to the senior team in Ligue 2 where he became a permanent player. After his first season, Grenoble finished fifth where he was loaned out to the third level French team, Istres. After returning from a very successful loan spell with him having over 14 goals he was hoping for starting time with newly promoted Grenoble. Unfortunately Grenoble’s manager fell out with Giroud and claimed he did not have the level to play among the elite. Giroud used this as fuel to boost his determination even more. Giroud then agreed a three year deal with Ligue 2 club Tours in 2008. Tours is where Giroud found confidence and his first season he scored 14 goals while being injured. By his second season he had already scored 16 goals by the fall break. In July 2010 he officially joined Ligue 1 side Montpellier. He made his European debut in the Europa League where he scored his first goal for the club. He scored his first of many important game winning goals during the semi final match against Paris Saint Germain in the Coupe de la Ligue. He won the game in the 117th minute of extra time. His successful time at Montpellier had shown the world his potential and he was being eyed by many clubs across Europe. Eventually, Arsenal signed him in June 2012 for $9.6 million. He became a club legend quickly with his crucial goal scoring skills. He became a menace for the club and even scored a scorpion kick goal, one of the only scorpion goals scored in Premier League history! After a successful stint at Arsenal, he extended his contract in 2014 until 2018 with a boost in wages. His success in the Champions League also did not go unnoticed. After a very successful time at Arsenal he signed with Chelsea in 2018 for an undisclosed amount.
Around this time the 2018 World Cup was happening. Giroud played a vital role in France’s qualifying stage and was also just as important during the tournament. He assisted Mbappe’s goal in the semi-final and started all seven games. Although he didn’t score, his link up plays with the attack helped a lot for them to win the tournament. After the World Cup, during his time in Chelsea he did not see much playing time but he became a very important substitute and player for the club. He became the oldest player to score a hattrick in the Champions League, as well scoring a bicycle kick in the round of 16. He overall helped bring Chelsea to a Champions League final in 2020. He was an unused sub when Chelsea beat Manchester City in the final but was a necessary component of them being in the final in the first place. After a great two seasons with the club Giroud left for his next challenge, AC Milan in the Serie A where he is now.
Conclusion
Giroud has been one to receive criticism throughout his career. His pace and overall work rate has never been his strong suit in soccer. I remember growing up and hearing all the jokes and memes about Giroud and how he was a bad striker and what not. For a while I just assumed he was a washed striker with no redeeming qualities until I watched him actually play. Giroud might not be the fastest but he will put any ball in the back of the net somehow. No matter what angle or if the ball is in or in the air or floor, Giroud will find a way to finish it. That is what makes him so good, he is clinical when needed. Although he has been starting for AC Milan I do believe Giroud is a fantastic late game substitution. He will retire soon (I think) and people will jump ships to praise him but personally I think he should’ve gotten the respect throughout his career. He is one of the top “underrated” players in my book and I am hoping he keeps up this golden form at Milan.
Here is my personal favorite goal from Giroud. It goes to show that he has incredible close dribbling skills and a third eye for goals. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRC7mjqKylc&ab_channel=SM10HD
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