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Olivier Giroud Set to Retire at End of Season After Remarkable Career

1 week ago

Olivier Giroud has revealed that he is planning to retire from professional football at the end of the 2026/27 season, bringing the curtain down on one of the most decorated careers of his generation. The 40-year-old French striker, currently playing for Lille, made the announcement while reflecting on his future and the physical demands of his 22nd professional season.Giroud has enjoyed an extraordinary career spanning France, England, Italy and the United States. His trophy cabinet includes the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France, the UEFA Champions League and Europa League with Chelsea, Serie A with AC Milan, Ligue 1 with Montpellier and four FA Cup triumphs.Olivier Giroud's Chelsea CareerFor Chelsea supporters, Giroud's three-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge remain particularly memorable. The striker joined Chelsea from Arsenal in January 2018 and went on to make 119 appearances for the Blues, scoring 39 goals.Giroud immediately contributed to Chelsea's 2018 FA Cup triumph before becoming a key figure in the club's Europa League-winning campaign during the 2018/19 season. He scored 11 goals in the competition, finishing as its leading scorer, and found the net in the final against Arsenal in Baku.His finest European moments continued during Chelsea's 2020/21 Champions League campaign. Giroud scored four goals in a memorable 4-0 victory over Sevilla before producing an spectacular bicycle kick against Atletico Madrid in the last 16. Chelsea eventually lifted the Champions League trophy in Porto, giving Giroud his second major European title with the club.A Fitting Final ChapterGiroud also became France's all-time leading scorer during his international career, finishing with 57 goals in 137 appearances. He would later be overtaken by the Kylian Mbappe. He helped France win the 2018 World Cup and retired from international football in 2024.Now, after more than two decades in professional football, Giroud appears ready to bring his playing career to an end. For Chelsea fans, his legacy will be defined by important goals, European success and his contribution to three major trophies at Stamford Bridge.

Jamie Gittens Set to Return to Chelsea After Ankle Injury With England U21s

2 weeks ago

Chelsea winger Jamie Gittens is set to return to Stamford Bridge after suffering an apparent ankle injury while on international duty with England Under-21s.Gittens started England's 4-2 victory over Kazakhstan at Molineux on Friday and was a constant threat down the left flank during the opening stages. England's official match report confirmed that the Chelsea winger was forced off injured towards the end of the first half.Gittens Leaves Molineux on CrutchesThe nature and severity of the injury have yet to be officially confirmed, but reports indicate that Gittens suffered an ankle problem and later left Molineux on crutches. The Chelsea winger is now expected to return to his club for further assessment.That will be a concern for Chelsea, particularly given Gittens' difficult start to the new campaign. The 22-year-old had been hoping to build momentum after a disrupted first season in west London.Another Setback for Chelsea WingerGittens arrived at Chelsea looking to establish himself after making the move from Borussia Dortmund, but his first campaign was interrupted by a hamstring injury. According to Chelsea, the winger made 27 appearances in all competitions last season, starting 12 matches, and did not feature after January.He worked extensively during the summer to return in better condition and began the 2026/27 campaign determined to make a greater impact. His latest injury therefore comes at an unfortunate time as he looks to secure a regular role in Chelsea's squad.Chelsea Await Further AssessmentFor now, the focus will be on determining the extent of Gittens' ankle injury. Chelsea will hope the problem is not serious and that the winger can return to action quickly.With the international break providing additional time for assessment and recovery, the club will await further medical information before determining when Gittens can resume training.For a player attempting to establish himself at Chelsea, another spell on the sidelines would represent an unwanted setback. Gittens' immediate priority will now be recovering fully and returning to the pitch as soon as it is safe to do so.

Cole Palmer Set to Withdraw From England Squad for International Break

2 weeks ago

Cole Palmer is set to withdraw from the England squad for the upcoming international break, with workload management and a minor muscle issue understood to be behind the decision. The Chelsea forward had only recently earned a recall to Thomas Tuchel's England squad after missing the 2026 World Cup.Palmer has made an impressive start to the 2026/27 campaign, registering four goals and two assists in seven appearances for Chelsea. He has been one of the key attacking players in Xabi Alonso's side and played the full 90 minutes in Chelsea's recent defeat to Brentford.Palmer's workload raises concernsThe decision comes against the backdrop of Palmer's difficult 2025/26 season, when he struggled with a series of injury problems. The Chelsea star missed 26 matches last season, with a groin problem among the issues that disrupted his campaign. Palmer later explained that he had returned to playing before he was fully ready and said he had been working to prevent similar problems from recurring.Chelsea are therefore understood to be taking a cautious approach. Reports indicate that Palmer has played almost every minute of Chelsea's campaign so far, making the extended international window an opportunity to manage his workload and allow him to recover.The timing is particularly significant because Palmer had been recalled by Tuchel for England's opening UEFA Nations League fixtures. England are scheduled to face Spain at Wembley on September 26, Czechia away on September 29, Croatia in Rijeka on October 3 and Czechia again at Wembley on October 6.Caicedo and João Pedro also miss international dutyPalmer is not the only Chelsea star staying behind during the international break. Moisés Caicedo has been left out of Ecuador's squad while recovering from a muscular injury. Ecuador are scheduled to face South Korea and Japan during the window.Meanwhile, João Pedro has withdrawn from Brazil's squad because of injury. Brazil will face Australia twice before playing India, with Fluminense's Matheus Martinelli called up as his replacement. The Brazilian Football Confederation did not disclose the nature of João Pedro's injury.For Chelsea, the international break therefore provides Palmer, Caicedo and João Pedro with valuable recovery time ahead of a demanding period of the season.