England will come up against a familiar opponent when they face France on Saturday. Olivier Giroud, who spent nine years with Arsenal and Chelsea, will lead the line for the French.
The 36-year-old has spent the past 18 months plying his trade in Italy with AC Milan, and France assistant coach Guy Stephan believes Giroud is not the same player since leaving the Premier League.
“I find him still having a strong character,” he said. “He moves a lot on the pitch, he’s very mobile. I find him a bit craftier, very efficient with his movement, and he has a serenity about him.”
Giroud certainly seems a picture of calm right now — and why would he not be? The striker was not expected to start for France at this World Cup, but a thigh injury to Karim Benzema on the eve of the tournament changed that.
France head coach Didier Deschamps swiftly turned to Giroud, who became France’s record goalscorer with his goal against Poland in their last-16 tie.
“I feel very good. I think what I am playing right now, my football, is interesting,” said Giroud.
“Somebody very wise told me that we are still 20, but we have experience. I feel like I am 20. That’s how I play on the pitch, my mentality is of a young player that has just arrived, that’s still hungry to compete, to score goals, to win.
“At one point my body will say, ‘Stop’. But, for the moment, my body is accompanying me on this journey.”
As much as England think they know Giroud, he is all too aware of them, too. The striker will relish the physical battle with England’s defence, and even if 18 months in Italy may have developed his game, Giroud’s nine years in the Premier League means he is still able to rough it with anyone.
“It’s going to be very tough with [Harry] Maguire and [John] Stones,” he said. “It is going to be very tense. I have played a lot of games against these guys. Sometimes I have won, sometimes I have been a loser, but I know them well and they know me well.”
Giroud’s hold-up and link play brings the best out of those around him, particularly Kylian Mbappe, who is the top scorer at this World Cup with five goals.
“Kylian likes to have a pivot player in front so he can express himself,” said Stephan. “That’s the situation with Giroud. The two players get on really well.”
England’s challenge is, of course, to keep Mbappe quiet — and they can go a long way to achieving that by thwarting Giroud.
