France international Olivier Giroud is aiming to reclaim his place in Chelsea's starting line-up after the international break and aware he faces stiff competition from Tammy Abraham.

The England U21 star is more or less a guaranteed starter at Chelsea so far the season as he has been in the starting line-up in three of the four matches in the Premier League, with the Frenchman relegated to the bench.

Abraham has helped his case to be The Blues top scorer with four goals in his last four appearances while Giroud is still searching for his first goal in England this term.

Asked by Le Figaro if a 21-year-old will put a world champion on the bench, Giroud replied : ''Obviously not! I have goals in my head. I am here to help the new generation, but the time for retirement has not come.

''I'm still hungry and have a lot of ambition. I do not want to be Chelsea's No. 2 striker, be certain. It's not because I'm here as a big brother for young people that I'm on the bench''.

Tammy Abraham was not rewarded with an international call-up by Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate despite his blistering start to the season.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel