Gianfranco Zola heaps praise on Milan's quintessential team player Olivier Giroud
- Heinrich Griessel
- 1 October 2022
Milan striker Olivier Giroud is a great asset to every team he plays for and a fantastic team-mate, according to former Napoli and Parma star Gianfranco Zola.
Giroud has quickly established himself as an important player for the Rossoneri, since signing for the Italian giants from Chelsea in July 2021.
The Frenchman has scored five goals in nine games across all competitions so far this season, drawing plaudits from Zola, who worked with the former Arsenal man during his time at Chelsea.
Zola pointed out that the 36-year-old forward is a self-less player who brings out the best in his team-mates due to his willingness to play a supporting role.
"Intelligence and the ability to put himself at the service of the team," said Zola, as quoted by Football Italia.
"But he is one of those centre-forwards loved by his team-mates, trequartisti and second strikers, because he is very good at putting them in a position to play well and be dangerous.
"He is not a protagonist and can act as a backup for others. Hazard loved playing with him precisely because of his ability to play as a backup."
On Giroud's strengths, Zola added, "Very good at shooting, on the volley and from the spot. Before that he is very good at getting the space to do it."
