Alan Shearer has lauded France striker and former Arsenal man Olivier Giroud as someone who is ‘underestimated’ in his career.
The Premier League’s all-time leading top-scorer added that Giroud, who left Arsenal in 2018 for rivals Chelsea, is a ‘very, very good team player’, as he told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.
France’s preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar have been hit with injury after injury, no more so than to Ballon d’Or winner and Real Madrid superstar, Karim Benzema.
But whilst such a key figure will be absent for the French, they have still booked their place in the knockout stages after winning two from two of their Group D clashes.
And Shearer thinks because of how they set-up with someone like Giroud, then it might ‘not be a bad thing’ that Benzema won’t feature.
“I think Giroud is a very, very good team player,” said Shearer. “I think he is underestimated for what he does for the team.
“I said previously, the loss of Benzema might not be a bad thing because of the way they set-up. The way they have their attitude. I think the team harmony. I don’t think it would have been affected.”
GIROUD THRIVING
At 36, Giroud is at the top of his game and producing some of the best football of his career, including winning Serie A last season with AC Milan.
But he could write his name into the history books of French football at the 2022 World Cup.
Giroud netted a brace during France’s opening group game win against Australia to put him level, along with Thierry Henry, as his nation’s all-time top-scorer.
Well, he has every chance of surpassing that record on football’s biggest stage and it will be more than well-deserved if it happens.
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