Kevin Nolan has urged his former side Newcastle to consider a move to sign Olivier Giroud from Chelsea this month.
Speaking to Sky Sports, as transcribed by Chronicle Live, Nolan believes that both his former clubs – Newcastle and West Ham – should be looking at the out-of-favour Chelsea man ahead of Friday’s deadline.
Certainly two of my old clubs in Newcastle and West Ham. I think he’d be great for both. I think Newcastle perhaps would get off because they have got Joelinton and Andy’s sitting in behind him.
Giroud has been heavily linked with a move to Inter this month, while Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Tottenham have also offered him a contract until the end of next season.
Read Newcastle verdict
With 78 top-flight goals in England, Giroud could certainly offer Newcastle some valuable Premier League experience – something they appear to be lacking in the final third at the moment (transfermarkt).
Compared to Joelinton, Giroud may also be a better fit for the role of a target man that Steve Bruce has been trying to operate with. Newcastle’s direct style of play is something that hasn’t helped the summer signing, who has been somewhat shoe-horned into the role as a result of his size and strength.
With Giroud standing at 6’3″, he’s a couple inches taller than Joelinton and has more weight behind him to deal with the rigours of Premier League football – a factor that Joelinton has struggled with this season.
During his time at Hoffenheim, the Brazilian would often drift out wide and use his speed to beat players, rather than act as a traditional hold-up striker (talkSPORT).
Playing this new role could go some way to explaining his struggles in the Premier League, with the striker only finding the back of the net on just one occasion so far.
