CHELSEA new boy Olivier Giroud will not be Antonio Conte’s first-choice striker, says club legend Frank Lampard.
Giroud, 31, completed his £18m move from Arsenal to Chelsea on deadline day, putting pen to paper on an 18-month deal at Stamford Bridge.
Lampard believes the France international will be a “useful” addition to Conte’s squad, especially following the departure of Michy Batshuayi on loan to Borussia Dortmund.
However, the former Chelsea midfielder reckons Giroud will play second fiddle to £60m summer signing Alvaro Morata.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a Plan B, well, he’s been almost a Plan B for Arsenal, for a year or two,” Lampard told BT Sport.
“So it’s definitely a different idea for Chelsea. He’s not going to go straight in their team when they’ve paid £60m for Morata. “I think it’s a good signing the fact you’re getting a experienced, good target man, if Chelsea get balls into the box with their wing- backs.
“He can play in the Champions League. I think one thing you can’t criticise… I’ve got some friends who are Arsenal fans and they wish him well.
“Not in the bad sense that ‘you’re going to Chelsea’.
“They actually respected the fact that when he got used over the last two years he came on and gave everything, scored important goals for them. “I think he’ll be useful for Chelsea.
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Giroud spent six-and-a-half years at Arsenal following his £9.5m move from Montpellier, winning three FA Cups and as many Community Shields. He scored 105 goals in 253 appearances for the Gunners.
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