Lampard reacts to Olivier Giroud departure rumours

Giroud has only played 157 minutes for Chelsea this season. the Frenchman has admitted that he's thinking about his future in the team.

Lampard, however, insists that he wants Olivier to stay.

"I do have plans to have Oli who is very important in our squad," Frank Lampard told a press conference when asked about the rumours of Olivier Giroud's potential departure in January.

"He played a lot of games last year. He will always want to play more, he is a huge member of the squad and I want him to stay. I have a huge relationship with Oli, I want him to stay."

It has been reported that Olivier Giroud is ready to leave Chelsea in January in search for more game time ahead of the next summer's European Championship. The striker himself has admitted to having such thoughts.

So far, Giroud has spent just 157 minutes on the pitch this season, with Timo Werner and Tammy Abraham ahead of him in the pecking order. If there are no further injury concerns come January, the 34-year-old might well be allowed to leave.