Olivier Giroud says he’s glad he stayed at Chelsea - after coronavirus ended all thoughts of him quitting the club. Giroud agreed terms with Inter Milan in January but Blues boss Frank Lampard vetoed the move because he couldn’t sign a replacement.
The France World Cup winner slowly played his way back into favour after that, with Chelsea offering him a new one-year contract.
Giroud wanted two - and talks looked on the verge of collapse at one point, with Inter favourites to sign him on a free this summer.
But the 33-year-old eventually decided to stay, and says lockdown helped to finally change his mind about leaving. Giroud said: “I very nearly left the club but I really think that God wanted me to stay at Chelsea. “I like it here.