Gianfranco Zola spoke incredibly highly about Milan forward Olivier Giroud, recalling how ‘Hazard loved playing with him’.
The former Napoli and Parma striker worked with the Frenchman in the 2018-19 season, when he was the assistant coach to Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea. Giroud was an important part of that Blues squad, scoring 11 goals and providing five assists in their Europa League campaign, when they lifted the trophy after beating Arsenal in the final.
Speaking to SportWeek, Zola praised Giroud’s abilities and underlined why his teammates enjoying playing alongside him.
“Intelligence and the ability to put himself at the service of the team. But he is one of those centre-forwards loved by his team-mates, trequartisti and second strikers, because he is very good at putting them in a position to play well and be dangerous.
“He is not a protagonist and can act as a backup for others. Hazard loved playing with him precisely because of his ability to play as a backup.”
Zola then touched on some of Giroud’s particular qualities.
“Very good at shooting, on the volley and from the spot. Before that he is very good at getting the space to do it.”
The 36-year-old Giroud has been an incredibly important part of Stefano Pioli’s squad in Milan since his arrival last summer.
The Frenchman scored 11 goals in 29 Serie A appearances last season, helping the Rossoneri secure their first Scudetto in a decade, and this year he’s been thrusted into a main role up front due to the injuries suffered by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Divock Origi and Ante Rebic.