Olivier Giroud looks set to make his first start for Chelsea against West Brom live on Sky Sports this Monday – but is the France international an effective plan B for the Blues?
Under-fire Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte will be looking to avoid losing three consecutive games for the first time in his career since 2009 after suffering back-to-back defeats against Bournemouth and Watford.
With £70m summer signing Alvaro Morata sidelined through a back injury, Giroud is likely to lead the line at Stamford Bridge against the Baggies after his £18m transfer from Arsenal on Deadline Day.
After the summer signing of Alexandre Lacazette, Giroud only started one league game under Arsene Wenger this term, and the arrival of Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang last month saw Giroud seek a move elsewhere after nearly six years at the club.
Giroud landed a move to the reigning champions, where big-money summer signing Morata had been misfiring before suffering a back injury at the end of last month.
Meanwhile, upon Giroud’s arrival, Blues back-up striker Michy Batshuayi left the club on loan after several inconsistent performances – filling the boots of Aubameyang at Dortmund until the end of the season.
