Olivier Giroud: 'Alvaro Morata is my rival at Chelsea'

Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has said that fellow forward Alvaro Morata is his rival for a place in the starting lineup under Antonio Conte.

The comments come after Conte's recent decision to start Eden Hazard as a false nine up top, leaving both Giroud and Morata on the bench.

French forward Giroud told L'Equipe that his Italian boss will eventually choose to allow him and Morata the freedom to fight for a starting role up front.

"For me, the competition is with Morata," Giroud said. "We can be made to play with Eden up front but it is very rare and it really hasn't borne fruit.

"There is always competition and it is necessary because I need that to continue to progress. I like challenges.

"You have to play. Leaving [Arsenal] in January, it was a choice hurried up by the World Cup. I did not want to put myself in danger. It is good to keep that objective in your head and keep it as a motivation."

Giroud's only goal for Chelsea so far came in a 4-0 FA Cup win over Hull City last month.