Olivier Giroud has admitted that he was disappointed to leave Arsenal but is looking forward to a fresh challenge at Chelsea.
The 31-year Dylan Bundy Jersey -old striker signed for the Blues for 18 million from their London rivals after Arsenal snapped up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Boru sia Dortmund, while Michy Batshuayi went from Stamford Bridge on loan to the German club.
Having started just one of his 16 appearances in the Premier League this season after the arrival of Alexandre Lacazette, Giroud sought a move away from Arsenal in January in order to play more regularly.
"The fact is that the coach wanted to recruit a new striker and with Aubameyang's signing at Arsenal, there were three top strikers, and that Roberto Alomar Jersey 's why I decided to leave," Giroud told .
"It made sense for me to take a new direction in my career. There was a Kevin Gausman Jersey bit of disappointment, even though I spent five wonderful years there.
"I could have stayed, but I needed a solutionto get back in. I wanted to stay in the Premier League and Chelsea was a great opportunity for me."
He added that France bo s Didier Deschamps had hinted that he needed to move in order to win a berth at the World Cup in the summer.
"I spoke with Deschamps," he said. "He didn't tell me to move to Chelsea, but he Zach Britton Jersey did tell me to move clubs."
The opportunity to work with Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge was one he did not wish to turn down and he is hopeful of challenging Alvaro Morata for game time.
"My choice was quite clear and obvious when Jim Palmer Jersey I knew that Antonio Conte wanted to work with me," he added.
"The conversation wasmore important,I know that Conte appreciates my profile, we will work well together.
" Morata and I are the two main strikers at Chelsea.There will begoodcompetition between us."
Indeed, Chelsea werefar from alone in chasing the centre-forward.
"Dortmund were Chris Tillman Jersey interested in me, but for a loan, there was Sevillatoo and at one point my agent received a call from Roma," he revealed.
Giroud spent five and a half years at Arsenal after signing from Ligue 1 side Montpellier and went on to win three FA Cups with Arsene Wenger's side.
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