In preparation for this weekend’s International friendlies the press gathered at Les Bleus Clairefontaine training complex to the normal rounds of questioning. For Montpellier forward Olivier Giroud this was a whole new experience; an experience that has been three years in the making.
Montpellier sit 2nd in Ligue 1 and after 13 games no team has scored as many as La Pallide. No matter the reasons behind a good run, it is usually the strikers that receive all the plaudits. In the case of Giroud he deserves every last one.
Opening the season with goals against Auxerre and champions Lille, his side were off to a wonderful start. A double against Brest and then his first ever hat-trick against Dijon saw the 25-year old’s stock sky-rocket and even Laurent Blanc couldn’t resist having a look at the former Tours forward.
Growing up in the mountain town of Chambery, it wasn’t until Giroud signed for Ligue 2 side Tours that he began to grab the attention of fans and scouts alike. The jump up from the Championnat National with Istres to Ligue 2 took its toll, and Giroud only managed 9 goals in his first season. Then with a full pre-season under his belt the striker flourished finding the net an impressive 21 times in his second season.
His goal-scoring exploits weren’t going unnoticed. Monaco and Toulouse led the way in France but Scottish giants Celtic and English sides Portsmouth, West Ham and Middlesbrough were all showing an interest. Giroud met with Celtic’s representative in Paris but then President Louis Nicollin stepped in and brought the forward south to Montpellier.
Although his first season was a personal success, it also saw his club going through a tough spell. They had just lost two of their most influential players and Giroud was part of the replacements, Montpellier finished the season 14th but Giroud impressed with 12 league goals. Instantly he had shown what he had to offer. Seven of his goals came from his left foot, one with his right and four headers. Every one of his league goals came from inside the box, demonstrating his predatory instincts.
With his impressive physical frame, excellent ability in the air and a firecracker of a left foot, Giroud was a force to be reckoned with. This season has been no different and all signs point to the striker improving his game and providing a relentless threat to the defenders in Ligue 1.
So far with eight goals he is on his way to bettering last season’s tally. He has nearly double the average amount of shots per game from 2.4 to 4.1 and he is now winning over 70% of his aerial battles. He has already been awarded three WhoScored.com Man of the Match awards - the same amount as last season.
Giroud’s excellent play is also rewarding his teammates. With four assists last season his key passes lead Montpellier with 1.8 and have led to two assists at the early stages of this season. Younes Belhanda, Souleymane Camara and John Utaka are benefiting from the target-man’s excellent link up play and it seems that La Pallide fans are not the only ones impressed so far:
“He’s a player whose profile is atypical and I like to have an atypical player up front,” said National team coach Laurent Blanc. “I think it’s the right moment to reward him with that call-up and to make him realize what is the international level.”
“At the international level, if we except Karim (Benzema), there are very few (French) players who score goals.”
As a 25-year old defender Blanc had played over 250 games for Montpellier and left the club a legend. There’s no doubt Le Président has been keeping an eye on the current 25-year old that is becoming a fan favourite at the Stade de la Mosson.
There are few that doubt that Giroud is ready for this call-up. Even the man himself believes he is ready to step up to this challenge and as he flashes those boyish good looks and the sparkling blue eyes you can’t help but believe him:
"I'm the joint-top scorer and we are second, so I am really hoped to be involved," Giroud said. "I won't say that it was an obvious choice but I really wanted it. I think it was the right moment.
"I'm playing efficiently and performing well, and everything's going well with Montpellier. I think I'm moving up a level. I think it's deserved."
Outside of Karim Benzema Les Bleus have struggled to find a consistent goal threat, but Kevin Gameiro and Loic Remy have had their chance. Giroud could be the missing piece of Blanc’s puzzle and given his chance against the USA or Belgium, he might just fit perfectly.
