GIROUD: I WON’T PLAY SECOND FIDDLE TO ABRAHAM

Chelsea forward, Oliver Giroud, has warned Chelsea teammate Tammy Abraham that he is ready to put up a fight and put pressure on the youngster, while also admitting that he is happy with the healthy competition in the dressing room.

Speaking with Le Figaro.fr ahead of France Euro qualifier match against Albania, Giroud admitted that he is aware of the stiff competition in the dressing room but he is not ready to play second fiddle to anyone and not even to a 21-year-old player.

Asked if the World Cup winner will lose his position to Tammy, he said, “Obviously not! I have goals in my head. I am here to help the new generation, but beware; the time for retirement has not come. I’m still hungry and a lot of ambition. I do not want to be Chelsea’s number two striker, be certain. It’s not because I’m here as a big brother for young people that I’m on the sidelines.”

The 32-year-old Le Bleus striker however had words of praise for the young forward.

“The sensation is uneven. I had fun in the final of the European Super Cup, probably the best match of Chelsea that season. It was necessary to digest this disappointment with the Premier League which started.

“The competition is open and healthy, with young Tammy Abraham who is just 21, which was not the case last year. This boy has taken his chance with four goals in the league, he scores and if he works well, I would be there too to put pressure. There is no reason for me to worry about the rest of the season.”