- Antonio Conte confirms January signing could start against Man United.
- Chelsea visit Old Trafford to face the Red Devils on Sunday afternoon.
- READ MORE: Damning Lukaku stat proves Chelsea dodged £102M bullet.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has confirmed that January signing Olivier Giroud is in contention to start against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
Giroud proved his Premier League credentials during his time at Arsenal, but fell down the pecking order following the arrivals of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the Emirates.
With Chelsea in dire need of a new centre-forward following the departure of Michy Batshuayi to Borussia Dortmund on-loan, the Premier League champions made their move to sign Giroud – and their pursuit was successful.
The France international scored his first goal in Chelsea colours against Hull City in the FA Cup last Friday. Conte appears to be impressed with what he has seen, and Giroud could subsequently be handed a start in one of the biggest games on the calendar.
Conte is quoted by the London Evening Standard hailing Giroud and confirming that he is in contention to start at Old Trafford:
“I think Olivier is working very well with us, and I’m pleased.”
“It seems as if he’s been with us for a long time, and not for just two weeks. For the game [on Sunday] he’s in contention.”
“We’ll see what my final decision will be for the starting XI.”
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