'God wanted me to stay at Chelsea': Olivier Giroud admits he nearly left Stamford Bridge in January before penning a new contract this month... and credits divine intervention – and a chat with Frank Lampard

'God wanted me to stay at Chelsea': Olivier Giroud admits he nearly left Stamford Bridge in January before penning a new contract this month... and credits divine intervention – and a chat with Frank Lampard – for U-turn

Olivier Giroud believes 'God wanted him to stay at Chelsea' after the striker signed a contract extension to extend his stay at the Blues.

The 33-year-old appeared surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge and he was set to leave the club in January in hope of keeping his place in Didier Deschamps' France squad for Euro 2020.

But Giroud impressed after coming off the bench in the Premier League defeat by Manchester United.

Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud (centre) was in high spirits at training on Wednesday

Giroud then started the next five matches for Frank Lampard and scored in the home wins against Tottenham and Everton before the Premier League was suspended on March 13 due to the coronavirus crisis.