Chelsea star Olivier Giroud denies wanting to quit club and vows to fight for starting spot

OLIVIER GIROUD has committed his future to Chelsea despite being linked with a move away.

The French striker, 32, has struggled both for goals and game time this season under Maurizio Sarri, scoring just once for the Blues.

But he is determined to stay at Stamford Bridge and fight for his place.

Speaking to Telefoot, he said: "I feel like it is as if we are where we were several months ago when I was being asked the same questions before the World Cup.

"Today, I am calm, happy with this World Cup title. I relativise a lot of things.

"I don’t need to put myself under more pressure than that. Of course, I am a competitor and I would like more playing time.

"But I am in a very big club, with very big players. I am going to fight and for the moment, it is not a question about seeking a departure.

"I am going to stick in there and do not count on me to give up."

Giroud has found the net just once for Chelsea since May 6 - against BATE Borisov in the Europa League - with fellow struggling striker Alvaro Morata given the nod for most games.

The Frenchman's only other goal in that time was for France against Holland in the Nations League.

Giroud insists he enjoys the competition and added: "I came back late from the World Cup [so] Morata played.

"In the national team in September, with this goal against the Netherlands, that did me good.

"After that, when I came back to Chelsea, I played several matches as a starter.

"Today, the coach has introduced healthy competition. Morata started again, he played well.

"It is true that we were having issues in the effectiveness department, he scored, and things are going better."

Giroud only joined Chelsea in January, signing from London rivals Arsenal for £18million.

But if he was shipped out in the upcoming transfer window, Chelsea will no doubt move to bring in a replacement, especially if they are handed a transfer ban next summer.