Olivier Giroud ready to shoulder burden of replacing Eden Hazard’s Chelsea goals
OLIVIER GIROUD is ready to handle the pressure of finding goals for Chelsea after Eden Hazard’s exit.
Hazard struck 21 times last season before heading to Real Madrid in a deal worth £150million.
Giroud, who netted 13 goals last term, says it will take a collective effort to replace the Belgian’s firepower.
The France World Cup winner will shoulder the burden — but he also expects youngsters Tammy Abraham, Michy Batshuayi, Mason Mount, Kenedy, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic to chip in.
Giroud, 32, said: “The numbers of goals Eden scored, I don’t know if I can take that from him but we have several strikers with different qualities.
“We have the quality and the quantity in the squad but obviously you know you cannot replace a player of Eden’s quality just like that.
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“But that’s over. Now we need to forget and not put too much pressure on players who will play in his position.
“I’m thinking about the young players. I will take the pressure no problem if it can release them.
“We know there are a lot of expectations but, even with the transfer ban, we have a lot of quality and ability up front.”
Giroud and his team-mates face Barcelona tomorrow and will battle the humidity again after last week’s friendly defeat to Kawasaki Frontale.
Hitman Abraham and keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga were back training yesterday after missing Chelsea’s tour opener through illness.
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But midfielder N’Golo Kante has returned home for treatment after aggravating a knee injury.
Giroud added: “I don’t know how the Japanese teams do it, it’s very humid and very warm.
“Our fitness is not perfect but we’re working hard.”