Olivier Giroud has risked the wrath of fans from his former club Arsenal after claiming that Chelsea are "the top team in England."
The 32-year-old moved across London to join the Blues in January in an £18 million deal after finding himself on the fringes of the first team at Arsenal.
However, after scoring just three goals in 20 appearances, the France international was linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge after Antonio Conte, the manager who brought him in, was sacked.
Giroud admits he held talks about a return to Ligue 1 with Marseille but decided his future lies in west London.
“For me, Chelsea is the top club in England, the one that has won the most titles over the last 10 years," Giroud told L'Equipe.
"I am where I wanted to be. So why leave?
“There was contact [from Marseille] last year, but nothing really concrete this summer. It did not go as far as was claimed.
“I had just arrived at Chelsea, it was not the time to pack my bags again three months later."
After winning the World Cup with France, it was suggested that Giroud may retire frm international football.
In Pictures | Southampton vs Chelsea | 07/10/2018
The striker, though, wants to continue playing until coach Didier Deschamps doesn't pick him.
"It would have been too easy to leave [after the World Cup]," he added.
