Olivier Giroud reveals how his Chelsea colleagues have found life after lockdown

Olivier Giroud has admitted he ‘missed’ training after the Premier League was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Chelsea forward is preparing to be match fit for the restart of the 2019-20 season on June 17. 

And Giroud has explained what has changed at the Blues’ Cobham training base since the campaign was postponed.

Olivier Giroud is delighted to be back in training after the Premier League was suspended

Olivier Giroud is delighted to be back in training after the Premier League was suspended

Olivier Giroud is delighted to be back in training after the Premier League was suspended

‘We resumed training [on Tuesday 19 May]. It really feels good to be back on the pitch, to get to see team-mates again and to simply be playing football. I had really missed it,’ Giroud told UEFA.

‘It’s very unusual, as we work in groups of five. We need to maintain a two-metre minimum social distance between each other, meaning no [physical] contact. 

‘We’re tested [for COVID-19] twice a week. We can’t access the changing room. 

‘We can’t shower either, meaning you have to get changed before stepping into your car in order to keep it clean. 

The Chelsea forward is preparing to be match fit for the restart of the 2019-20 season

The Chelsea forward is preparing to be match fit for the restart of the 2019-20 season

The Chelsea forward is preparing to be match fit for the restart of the 2019-20 season

‘And it’s very hot at the moment too – I’m not complaining about that, but it means we sweat a lot!

‘During lockdown, Chelsea would send us programmes to follow to keep fit. We had exercises to do every day. 

‘I’m lucky enough to live right next to a great park and I went there to run almost every day. 

‘Towards the end of this period, the whole team video-called and we did circuit training.

Giroud has revealed that players have picked up blisters after they resumed training

Giroud has revealed that players have picked up blisters after they resumed training

Giroud has revealed that players have picked up blisters after they resumed training

‘I did it at home in the playroom alongside my children. I took a picture of us – it was nice. However, nothing replaces being on the pitch. Almost all my team-mates got blisters after resuming training.’ 

Giroud’s club Chelsea have also submitted a formal proposal to the Premier League to increase the maximum number of substitutes permitted on the bench from seven to nine for the remainder of the season. 

The proposal will be discussed by the clubs at this Thursday’s shareholders meeting with a vote on the issue to take place the following week on 11 June.

Chelsea’s request to increase the number of substitute options available to managers stems from concerns about the greater risk of injuries following a lengthy break and the prospect of cramming nine matches into a six-week period. 

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