An option to extend the striker’s contract by a year was taken last month, ensuring his two-and-a-half-year stay at Stamford Bridge which was due to end at the conclusion of the current campaign will continue.

Prior to the pause in the season due to the pandemic, Giroud had again emphasised his importance to the squad by taking on the responsibility of leading the attack with Tammy Abraham injured, and making a significant contribution, not least when he expertly found the net to open the scoring in a win against Tottenham in February, and helped to knock Liverpool out of the FA Cup the following month.

Indeed it was the 33-year old who scored the last goal for Chelsea before the current hiatus, in a 4-0 home win over Everton (celebrated top).

On the fact he will remain a Chelsea player beyond 2019/20, Giroud said: ‘I am delighted to continue my journey and adventure at Chelsea. I can’t wait to get back to playing and enjoying competitive football with my team-mates. I’m looking forward to wearing the Chelsea shirt again, especially in front of our fans at a full Stamford Bridge, whenever it is safe to do so.’

Director Marina Granovskaia added: ‘It is clear to the club that Olivier continues to be a player we want in the squad, especially as we maintain the important balance between top-quality experience and the exciting young talent we have available, and his attitude when asked to play a supporting role has been exemplary. He is a proven trophy winner who we hope can help our new generation to become that too.’

Frank Lampard said: ‘Since I have been back at Chelsea, Olivier has been brilliant as a professional and as a man in general.

‘He has great qualities to help the squad both on and off the pitch, not only with his talent but with the example he sets every day and the experience he brings to our young squad. I am very pleased that will continue next season.’

How many goals has Olivier Giroud scored for Chelsea?

Having joined Chelsea on a deadline-day transfer from Arsenal in January 2018, Giroud has made 39 starts and 37 sub appearances and scored 21 goals.

On first signing for the club he said: ‘My ambition is to win some trophies. That’s why I am playing football. I am a competitor and I want to win again and again.’

What has Olivier Giroud won at Chelsea?

He has achieved that by lifting the FA Cup and Europa League during his time as a Blue, scoring in the semi-final of the former and the final of the latter, while also claiming global glory on the international stage as France won the FIFA World Cup in the summer of 2018.

Among his other highlights at Chelsea so far have been two late goals against Southampton on the South Coast as we came from 2-0 down to beat Southampton in his first season, a fine header to settle a tight league contest against Liverpool at the Bridge, and a superb European campaign in 2018/19.

Europa League final goal

Giroud’s header in the Europa League final to open the scoring against Arsenal was his 11th in that season’s competition, making him the Europa League top goalscorer and a most deserving trophy winner. Included among his goals were a brilliant late free-kick against MOL Vidi and a ‘perfect hat-trick’ away to Dynamo Kiev.

He also netted against Liverpool in the UEFA Super Cup in Istanbul at the start of this season.

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