‘Lucky’ Giroud would be nothing without Benzema’s France absences, claims Souness

Graeme Souness has hit out France’s joint-record scorer Olivier Giroud, stating that he would be nothing without Karim Benzema’s international hiatus. 

​Giroud became France’s joint top scorerSouness criticised Henry comparisonsBelieves striker has been lucky in his career

WHAT HAPPENED? Speaking before France’s match against Denmark on Saturday, Souness was critical of Giroud’s record for France and comparisons made between him and Thierry Henry. He also claimed that the AC Milan forward had been fortunate to get the run of game time he’s had, which he attributes largely to Benzema’s spell away from the team.

WHAT THEY SAID: “I’m not his biggest fan,” Souness told ITV. “Seven games in the last World Cup in the team that wins it and he never had a shot on target. When you talk about mentioning him in the same breath as Thierry Henry – sorry!  I would say his record is there for one reason: Benzema being out for such a long time because of all the controversy he’s involved with.

“Benzema, the current Ballon d’Or holder, will be missed in this French team this competition. Benzema is completely on another level. I don’t think he’ll have a look in at this World Cup if Benzema had been available. He’s hard a large slice of luck in his career.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Souness’ comments come just a few days after Giroud equalled Henry’s goalscoring record for France, thanks to a brace in their group stage opener against Australia. The holders dispelled any myth of a World Cup winners’ curse, winning their first two matches of the tournament and thus becoming the first team to qualify for the last 16.

IN TWO PHOTOS:

WHAT NEXT FOR GIROUD? Without a goal in France’s victory over Denmark on Saturday, the Milan forward will hope to take his goalscoring record beyond Henry’s when they take on Tunisia on November 30.

 

 

Related Post
Share
Published by

Recent Posts

Novak Djokovic ‘honoured’ to have rivalry with Rafael Nadal

Novak Djokovic said it was his honour to share the epic rivalry with Rafael Nadal.… Read More

November 22, 2024

Robert Lewandowski names Sergio Ramos as his most ‘favourite and difficult’ opponent to face

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has named former Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos as his most… Read More

November 22, 2024

Pep Guardiola signs Manchester City extension through 2027

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has signed a two-year contract extension with the club till… Read More

November 22, 2024

Mohammedan SC’s Andrey Chernyshov wants team to give their best in every Indian Super League match

Mohammedan SC’s head coach Andrey Chernyshov wants the club to give their best in every… Read More

November 22, 2024

Nick Kyrgios says the game of tennis is bland in the post Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal era

Controversial Nick Kyrgios has predicted tennis will become bland after Rafael Nadal’s retirement. Nadal lost… Read More

November 22, 2024