Maurizio Sarri expects Olivier Giroud to stay put with Chelsea next season

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has predicted that Olivier Giroud is likely to remain with the Blues for the 2019/2020 season. The France international is currently contracted to the Blues until the summer of 2019, but the club have the option of a 12-month extension clause which they may opt to trigger at the end of the campaign.

Speaking in a press conference, Sarri acknowledged that Giroud has a good chance of remaining with the west London side next term, given both the club and the player himself could agree upon the extension available, he said: “Yes, of course. I know the club have an option for another season, so I think he will remain. Do I get the impression he wants to stay? I think so.”

Giroud has started just 16 matches under the guidance of Sarri this term, but he has still managed to score 11 times. Out of those, nine have resulted from the Europa League campaign where he is currently the competition’s top-scorer. The Frenchman recently started the league game against Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge and he managed to make the most of the opportunity by finding the scoresheet in a 3-0 triumph.

Owing to that performance, Sarri has hinted that the marksman could retain a starting role for the London derby against West Ham United, where the Blues face another must-win situation to stay in the top-four race. The Capital club are currently behind fourth-placed Arsenal on goal difference but the latter have the advantage with another game in hand.

At present, the Blues are considered as favorites to lift the Europa League and that should assure them of Champions League football for next season. However, they can’t be overconfident over the same happening, and Sarri has recently cited that the team are prepared to utilise both the domestic and European avenues to secure a Champions League berth next term.