The Blues striker has been linked heavily with a move back to his home country, but his manager denies that he will leave
Maurizio Sarri says Chelsea will activate a clause to extend Olivier Giroud's contract for another year to keep the France international at the club next season.
The France international scored as he finally started his first league game of 2019 against Brighton, and will hope for more starts, as Sarri signals his intent to keep his frontman.
“Yes, of course. I know the club have an option for another season, so I think he will remain,” Sarri told reporters. "I think so [that he wants to stay]."
Rumours remain rife that Roman Abramovich is losing interest in Chelsea and that is may lead to the sale of the club.
The billionaire has since withdrawn his visa and announced a freeze on redeveloping Stamford Bridge, but Sarri revealed that Abramovich talks directly to his assistant Gianfranco Zola to exert his influence.
“More Zola than me," Sarri said before explaining why. “Because Zola speaks English better than me, of course. He has some problems now, but he is involved with the club, with the team.
“Of course. He is the owner, and so he can influence the technical staff, the club, the players, everything I think. Also in Naples, the president Aurelio [De Laurentiis] wasn't in the training ground every day. He was in the training ground once a month, no more. So it's very similar.”