Olivier Giroud netted a brace against Napoli before scoring the winner against Paris Saint-Germain in the last fortnight, showing that he can still be decisive in the biggest games.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) reports that Giroud has become the most decisive over 35 player in Europe. With the six goals scored in Serie A, among the ‘top five’ leagues in Europe, the Frenchman is now above Robert Lewandowski who has five and is two years younger.
Having arrived in summer 2021 as Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s luxury reserve, Giroud has established himself as the starter while Zlatan is about to return as the glue between the squad and the management.
Giroud has played in all but one Serie A game this season, scoring a goal every 112 minutes, a statistic in which Lewandowski is still behind. In addition to being the most prolific, Giroud is in all respects the most incisive.
Considering the scoring percentage, essentially the precision in front of goal, he remains a step ahead of all the attackers aged 35 and over: Lewandowski and then Stuani, the Italians Pavoletti and Caputo, Radamel Falcao and Willian of Fulham.
Before handing over the baton to a younger striker like Jonathan David of Lille, Giroud will sign a one-year renewal until the summer of 2025. His €3.5m net salary will be reduced, but the 37-year-old. will remain a senator of the dressing room.
As we should but in a more limited role but still regarded as an important cog in the machine.