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Olivier Giroud could be the next star name to deliver in MLS

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When Los Angeles FC sign a big name, they rarely miss. Carlos Vela defined the first era of the club’s existence in Major League Soccer. Giorgio Chiellini helped them reach back-to-back MLS Cup finals. Even Gareth Bale, who struggled for game time during his short time in California, scored one of the most important goals in LAFC’s history. Olivier Giroud could be next in line.

By Graham Ruthven

Reports claim Giroud has already agreed a contract with LAFC ahead of a potential summer switch to BMO Stadium. The French striker’s AC Milan contract expires at the end of the season and the MLS club has apparently already tabled an offer that would almost certainly make him one of the highest-paid players in the league.

Giroud would be the perfect post-Vela frontman for LAFC. The former Arsenal and Chelsea forward might be 37 and well into the twilight of his career, but he still has plenty to offer – as proven by his tally of 12 Serie A goals for AC Milan this season (14 in all competitions). Giroud will also be a key figure for France at Euro 2024.

Of course, LAFC already boast one of the best forwards in MLS in the shape of Denis Bouanga who was last season’s Golden Boot by scoring 25 goals. Bouanga, however, is most effective playing off the left side of the attack, meaning there is space for Giroud in Steve Cherundolo’s 4-3-3 shape. 

All the way through Giroud’s career, he has played his best football alongside another forward. For France, Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe have been these figures, with Giroud’s all-round game bringing the best out of them. For AC Milan, Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic have benefited from playing off, and around the Frenchman. 

Los Angeles FC have almost certainly looked at this and concluded Giroud would be the final piece of their attacking game plan. There has been a sense over the first few weeks of the 2024 season that LAFC are treading water until the summer when a new superstar will arrive. Giroud would be worth the wait.

Even at this late stage of his career, there aren’t many players better at performing the attacking frontman role than Giroud. Assuming the deal is done, Giroud will give LAFC a focal point in the final third. He is in the 89th percentile for aerial duels won per 90 minutes and the 92nd percentile for assists. LAFC would be getting a lot more than just a goalscorer.

As a goalscorer, Giroud holds his own too. He is France’s all-time top scorer with 57 international goals to his name. He has averaged a goal every 2.6 games for AC Milan and boasts respectable scoring records at each of the two clubs he played for before that – 105 goals in 253 games for Arsenal and 39 goals in 119 games for Chelsea.

LAFC’s transition-heavy approach would be a physical test for an ageing Giroud, but he plays a similar way for France. AC Milan are also a team who like to play in quick transition through Leão and Pulisic. Giroud isn’t much of a ball carrier, but he can play a role in conducting rapid attacks into the final third.

In hindsight, LAFC’s signing of Hugo Lloris was a sign of their preparations to land Giroud. The two men are long-time France teammates and are known to be good friends off the pitch too. Lloris is surely playing a role in Los Angeles FC’s sales pitch to Giroud who reportedly has other offers from European clubs. There could be interest from Saudi Arabia too.

Everything suggests BMO Stadium would be a good environment for Giroud should he complete his move there this summer. LAFC possess one of the most vibrant supporter cultures in MLS. Their home matches are a spectacle frequently attended by A-list celebrities, some of whom – like Will Ferrell – are co-owners of the club. 

The club is also one of the best-run in the league, as demonstrated by the transfer market success they have had in recent years. Under Cherundolo, LAFC play a brand of exciting, attack-minded football that saw them make the MLS Cup final in 2022 and 2023. This is a club with a plan for success and Giroud is clearly a big part of their next blueprint. 

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every LAFC game live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including player ratings. Download the free app here.

Olivier Giroud could be the next star name to deliver in MLS

When Los Angeles FC sign a big name, they rarely miss. Carlos Vela defined the first era of the club’s existence in Major League Soccer. Giorgio Chiellini helped them reach back-to-back MLS Cup finals. Even Gareth Bale, who struggled for game time during his short time in California, scored one of the most important goals in LAFC’s history. Olivier Giroud could be next in line.

By Graham Ruthven

Reports claim Giroud has already agreed a contract with LAFC ahead of a potential summer switch to BMO Stadium. The French striker’s AC Milan contract expires at the end of the season and the MLS club has apparently already tabled an offer that would almost certainly make him one of the highest-paid players in the league.

Giroud would be the perfect post-Vela frontman for LAFC. The former Arsenal and Chelsea forward might be 37 and well into the twilight of his career, but he still has plenty to offer – as proven by his tally of 12 Serie A goals for AC Milan this season (14 in all competitions). Giroud will also be a key figure for France at Euro 2024.

Of course, LAFC already boast one of the best forwards in MLS in the shape of Denis Bouanga who was last season’s Golden Boot by scoring 25 goals. Bouanga, however, is most effective playing off the left side of the attack, meaning there is space for Giroud in Steve Cherundolo’s 4-3-3 shape. 

All the way through Giroud’s career, he has played his best football alongside another forward. For France, Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe have been these figures, with Giroud’s all-round game bringing the best out of them. For AC Milan, Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic have benefited from playing off, and around the Frenchman. 

Los Angeles FC have almost certainly looked at this and concluded Giroud would be the final piece of their attacking game plan. There has been a sense over the first few weeks of the 2024 season that LAFC are treading water until the summer when a new superstar will arrive. Giroud would be worth the wait.

Even at this late stage of his career, there aren’t many players better at performing the attacking frontman role than Giroud. Assuming the deal is done, Giroud will give LAFC a focal point in the final third. He is in the 89th percentile for aerial duels won per 90 minutes and the 92nd percentile for assists. LAFC would be getting a lot more than just a goalscorer.

As a goalscorer, Giroud holds his own too. He is France’s all-time top scorer with 57 international goals to his name. He has averaged a goal every 2.6 games for AC Milan and boasts respectable scoring records at each of the two clubs he played for before that – 105 goals in 253 games for Arsenal and 39 goals in 119 games for Chelsea.

LAFC’s transition-heavy approach would be a physical test for an ageing Giroud, but he plays a similar way for France. AC Milan are also a team who like to play in quick transition through Leão and Pulisic. Giroud isn’t much of a ball carrier, but he can play a role in conducting rapid attacks into the final third.

In hindsight, LAFC’s signing of Hugo Lloris was a sign of their preparations to land Giroud. The two men are long-time France teammates and are known to be good friends off the pitch too. Lloris is surely playing a role in Los Angeles FC’s sales pitch to Giroud who reportedly has other offers from European clubs. There could be interest from Saudi Arabia too.

Everything suggests BMO Stadium would be a good environment for Giroud should he complete his move there this summer. LAFC possess one of the most vibrant supporter cultures in MLS. Their home matches are a spectacle frequently attended by A-list celebrities, some of whom – like Will Ferrell – are co-owners of the club. 

The club is also one of the best-run in the league, as demonstrated by the transfer market success they have had in recent years. Under Cherundolo, LAFC play a brand of exciting, attack-minded football that saw them make the MLS Cup final in 2022 and 2023. This is a club with a plan for success and Giroud is clearly a big part of their next blueprint. 

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every LAFC game live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including player ratings. Download the free app here.