Olivier Giroud praised by Glenn Hoddle as he scores FOUR in rout against Sevilla

Olivier Giroud was heavily praised by Glenn Hoddle after his stunning display in the Champions League against Sevilla with the BT Sport pundit insisting he can be a ‘great asset’ for the club amid January interest from Juventus and Inter Milan. 

Giroud, who is being linked with a move to Italy after his representative recently hit out at Frank Lampard for using the French striker so sparingly, was at his brilliant best on Wednesday night as he netted four times, including a perfect hat-trick, against Sevilla to help Chelsea secure top spot in Group E. 

The 34-year-old was making just his second of the start of the season but gave his boss Lampard something to consider with a breath-taking performance.

Olivier Giroud scored four times as Chelsea ran riot against Sevilla on Wednesday night

Glenn Hoddle heaped praise on Giroud and talked up how important he can be for Chelsea

Frank Lampard has used Giroud sparingly this season but now has something to consider

Giroud superbly bent into the corner for his first before deftly chipping over the Sevilla keeper and heading in a third in the second half. He dusted himself off after wining a penalty late on to net his fourth of the night.

Hoddle believes the forward proved just how vitally important he can be for Chelsea and suggested they should not let him leave in the January window despite Timo Werner and Tammy Abraham currently being preferred.

Speaking at half-time, Hoddle said on BT Sport: ‘He’s so useful isn’t he? He comes off the bench and changes games and you can start him as well because he scores goals and he’s got that experience. 

‘He is a great asset and people look at him as just a target man but he is so much more than that.’ 

Giroud showed a touch of class as he lifted the ball over the Sevilla keeper to score his second

The French striker’s first was a superb curling finish inside the area in the first half

Fellow BT Sport pundits Joe Cole and Jermaine Jenas were also left in awe of Giroud’s display on Wednesday night.

Cole said: ‘He is a manager’s dream because you know what you are going to get with Giroud. 

‘There’s a reason he has scored hundreds and hundreds of goals in his career and look at that finish for his first goal. He’s a brilliant player.’

Jenas, who was commentating on the match, added: ‘He is in a situation where he should be starting in the Premier League now.’ 

The victory in Seville ensured Lampard’s men will qualify for the knockout rounds as the group winners. 

Joe Cole described Giroud as a ‘brilliant player’ after his stunning performance in Seville

The Frenchman capped off a superb night in front of goal by dispatching a penalty late on