The great French striker, Karim Benzema, once said, “You shouldn’t confuse F1 and Go-Karting - and that’s me being kind”. He said this, interestingly, about his fellow French international teammate, Olivier Giroud. And although he claims to have been being “kind” in his quote, please note that poor ol’ Olivier is the “Go-Kart” in Benzema’s strange and largely uncalled for metaphor.
Olivier Giroud representing France (Via Get French Football News)
And curiously, this sort of disrespect for Giroud is not particularly uncommon. Despite being a consistent goalscorer for over a decade in Ligue 1, The Premier League, Serie A, and at the International level with France, the general opinion on the target striker has been largely…”Eh”.
It’s not that people don’t think Giroud is a quality player, it’s just that he’s never really been looked at as “that guy” before. “That guy” who your team could bring in as their big-money signing. “That Guy” who was gonna score the big goal to save your season. “That guy” who was supposed to lead your team to a major trophy.
But, even though the general media narrative would have never suggested it, Giroud has stepped up and been “that guy” over and over again, all while somehow flying under the radar as "just Giroud"
Olivier Giroud celebrating with the Champions League trophy (Via Forbes)
But the more Olivier continues to produce at this 2022 World Cup, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to overlook his genuinely insane resume…
At the club level, he’s taken home a Ligue 1 title with Montpellier, a Serie A title with AC Milan, Champions League and Europa League titles with Chelsea, and four FA Cups with both Chelsea and Arsenal. His personal trophy cabinet boasts 3 golden boots and a Puskas award, and his International trophy cabinet features a UEFA Nations League…oh, and a WORLD CUP.
So, the dude has clearly never been accused of not being a winner…except when he kinda was accused of this exact thing by Thierry Henry, when the legendary French striker may or may not have suggested that Giroud was not quality enough to win the Premier League with Arsenal (idk what to make of his quotes to be honest, but you can read it here).
Regardless of what Thierry may have been suggesting back in 2015, I think it’s clear enough at this stage in his career that Giroud has a hell of a trophy cabinet. So, if not the trophies, what does hold him back from being thought of as one of the elite players of our generation?
Olivier Giroud holding the World Cup trophy (Via FIFA)
The first place my mind goes when evaluating a striker is to look at their goal output. So, let’s check his numbers.
In his 610 career matches, he’s tallied a total of 246 goals, and 90 assists. That’s good for more than a goal involvement in every other game, which over the course of a career is actually a very impressive clip. Perhaps the most impressive goal scoring stat he currently possess is that he’s recently fired his way atop the all-time goalscoring list for France by netting his 53rd goal for Les Blues, putting him above two of his critics in Henry and Benzema, along with other French legends like Antoine Griezmann and Michel Platini.
So, if its not the trophy cabinet and its not the goalscoring output, then maybe its the “eye test”? You know, like how a player looks when they’re on the field. If you strip away all of their achievements, all of the stats and accolades, do they look like they’re a world class player?
This is where some may begin to poke holes in the “Giroud is an elite footballer” argument, as he is admittedly not the most aesthetically pleasing footballer you’ll ever watch. But, I’d argue this is because you’re watching a traditional “target 9” of a striker, which is hardly a sexy position.
Giroud's gritty header through traffic to beat England 2-1 in the World Cup Quarter-finals (Via The Straights Times)
Sure, other positions on the field could certainly produce better-looking players by way of elegant technicality and fluidity of movement, and there are even more attractive styles of playing the #9 position itself. But a traditional “target 9” has always had a place in the game, and has proven effective for various legends of the sport from Robert Lewandowski, to Robin Van Persie, to Alan Sherer. But even amongst these greats, Giroud has a way of controlling the ball, of striking the ball, and of scoring acrobatically that I think could rival anyone’s in his position.
In fact, as far as target 9’s go, I would argue Oliver Giroud is right up there with the best ever in terms of how he looks playing the position. Sure, it helps that he’s a handsome, well-groomed French dude who’s like 6’4”, but some of the goals he has managed to score are genuinely unbelievable.
The best example of this, of course, is the “scorpion” goal for Arsenal that won him his aforementioned Puskas award for the best goal scored in world football in 2017, but there are so many other ridiculous finishes to his name than just that wonder goal. Other 'worldies' that come to mind are his mazing solo run against Crystal Palace, his ingenious overhead vs Red Star, his ridiculous dink against Köln, or his swazzing blast on the full volley against Sweden.
I had to cut myself off there because I quite literally could have gone on all day listing his incredible goals, but I think you get the point. If you’re ever board, I'd suggest you flip on a Giroud highlight tape and spend the next 10 minutes trying to convince yourself that Oliver Giroud is not one of the best players you’ve ever seen. I bet you can’t. (seriously, just watch this tape)
A highlight tape of some of Giroud's best goals (Via Brazil Scout Premium)
With 4 goals to his name already in this 2022 World Cup, including the match winner against England in the quarter-finals, the prospect of Giroud’s stock price continuing to climb is beginning to feel more and more inevitable. And, while he’s 36 years old now and surely approaching the end of his playing days, appreciation for his career that has been equal parts unique and impressive should be welcomed as “better late than never”.
So, as Giroud approaches his last few matches at the world's biggest stage, I'd be sure to take a real good look at the French #9 one last time, because it could be some of the last we see of one of the sneaky great players of this generation.
Comments