Olivier Giroud: I tried to leave Chelsea in January

The French striker also revealed that limited chances under Frank Lampard had forced him to opt for a transfer out of Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud admits that he did everything in his power to leave Chelsea in the January transfer window. However, the French World Cup winner has moved on from being disappointed because of the prolonged stay. 

Olivier Giroud did not get enough game time mainly due to the fact that Tammy Abraham had a great start to the season and gradually grew as Frank Lampard favourite choice upfront. 

The Frenchman visibly grew frustrated over his stay at the Stamford Bridge and started pitching for a move away from London. However, things did not materialize as the Blues did not manage to bring in a replacement. 

"To be honest, I saw myself playing elsewhere," he told Telefoot. "I had six tough months, which is why I wanted a change of scene to get back to playing and enjoying myself on the pitch, so I tried to leave in January.

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"I did everything I could, but Chelsea didn't want to let me leave because the condition in place was that they had to bring in a replacement. On 31 January, I still hoped that I would leave. I was very disappointed, but I'd say that by the following morning, I'd put that behind me.

"I got straight back into the swing of things and was lucky that we had the winter break. I came back the week after raring to go and had the game against Manchester United when I came on and scored, but was marginally offside.

"Then there was the goal against Tottenham and I started playing regularly. That's how it is now. The coach [Frank Lampard] had promised me more playing time and kept his word, so I simply tried to take my chance."

The 33-year-old had suitors from clubs across Europe which include big names like Inter Milan, Lazio and also Jose Mourinho led Tottenham Hotspurs. Spurs were in need of attacking reinforcements with Harry Kane injured and they identified Olivier Giroud as one of their targets mainly because of his experience in the Premier League.

A potential reunion with Antonio Conte was on the cards for Olivier Giroud as he reiterates the situation. "Everyone knows the most interesting sporting project for me was at Inter Milan," the Frenchman said. "The problem was that it dragged on and although Lazio and Tottenham were both interested, in the end it was no longer a question of where I would go, rather if I could leave or not," he added.

"As for Inter, I'd spoken to (Antonio) Conte on the phone and he knew me from his time at Chelsea, having been the coach that brought me here. He liked my profile as a player, so that was an advantage, plus Inter were going to be in the Champions League [next year] and it's a huge club.

"I went to see Frank Lampard in his office on the three or four final days of the transfer window every morning to try to find a solution. He gave me my chance, and I took it. In the end, Lampard needed me."