Didier Deschamps calls on Chelsea coach Frank Lampard to "play Olivier Giroud"

Deschamps revealed that at the last international break, Frank Lampard called him to ask for N'Golo Kante to be left out of the France squad.The Chelsea head coach's concerns were over Kante's fitness ahead of a busy schedule for the London club.This time around, Deschamps has anticipated Lampard's call and has sent a message of his own to the 41-year-old."Lampard asked me not to pick Kanté at the last rally, if it's still that way... Maybe I'll call him later to tell him it would be nice if you play Olivier Giroud a little bit."Deschamps : "Lampard m'avait demandé de ne pas sélectionner Kanté lors du dernier rassemblement. Si c'est toujours dans ce sens... Je vais peut-être l'appeler tout à l'heure pour lui dire ça serait bien que tu fasses jouer Olivier Giroud un petit peu" pic.twitter.com/uUmMbq19Gp— Eurosport.fr (@Eurosport_FR) October 3, 2019Although appearing somewhat light-hearted, the French coach's jibe had a bit oftruth in it. Olivier Giroud is the preferred striker in his France set-up and currently, he isn't playing enough.The 33-year-oldhas only played 100 minutes in the Premier League so far this season, with the young Tammy Abraham emerging as Lampard's first choice striker.Giroud himself commented on the situation in September, warning Lampard he's still hungry."Obviously not! I have goals in my head," he toldLe Figaro. "I'm here to help the new generation, butthe retirement time has not come."I’m still hungry and have a lot of ambition. I don’t want to be Chelsea’s No.2 striker, for sure."Just because I’m here as an older brother for young people, it doesn’t mean I’m out on the sidelines."The Frenchman's only goal so far this season came in the UEFA Super Cup against Liverpool.READ MORE...Pochettino's pressure: why it's likely to get worse for Tottenham before it gets betterQuiz! Can you name the 29 most valuable players in the Europa League 2019/20?