Olivier Giroud has demanded a “more important role” in order to stay at Chelsea next season.
France’s World Cup-winning striker admitted he has yet to meet Chelsea’s board about whether he will remain at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have the option to extend the 32-year-old’s deal by another year, with Giroud hoping for a meeting with club bosses before the end of the campaign.
“Trust me I’m very frustrated when I’m not on the pitch, but I just don’t want to show it,” said Giroud.
“You need to keep that frustration for you. And transform that into positive energy on the pitch.
“But trust me I’m not happy to play the second role. That’s why I said next year I will need to have more important role to play in the team.”
Head coach Maurizio Sarri has already said he expects Giroud to stay at Chelsea next term, but the striker himself has now revealed doubts on his future.
Galatasaray are understood to have made contact with Giroud about next season.
Asked if he has been approached by other clubs, Giroud said: “Yes but I won’t tell you. The priority is Chelsea.”
When pressed on when he will talk to the club about next season, Giroud said: “I don’t know, I have no clue about that now. But before the end of the season.
“I have to meet (club director) Marina (Granovskaia), but obviously I might be here.
“The thing is I just want to enjoy it because I’m 32 and I’ve won the World Cup. But I want to retire satisfied.”
Giroud admitted uncertainty over Chelsea’s transfer options for next term has most likely led to a delay in talks.
Chelsea have appealed FIFA’s two-window transfer embargo relating to the signings of players aged under 18, with a decision on that still pending.
The club could still take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) should their FIFA appeal prove unsuccessful.
And Giroud admitted the current situation creates a transfer limbo, saying: “Obviously we still don’t know if the club will have the opportunity to sign players or not.
“Maybe it’s a bit confusing now. There is no reason that they are not going to give me one more year. But I need to be happy as well.
“The most important thing for me is to enjoy the game, to be happy on the pitch and to have more minutes. I’m a competitor. So I really want to play more.”
Antonio Rudiger will miss Thursday’s Europa League clash with Slavia Prague, but the Germany defender’s knee injury is not as serious as first feared.
Due to a minor medical procedure, Maurizio Sarri will be replaced by his assistant Gianfranco Zola for tonight's pre-Slavia Prague press conference. #CHESLApic.twitter.com/unfpnynnSn— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 17, 2019
Rudiger hobbled out of Sunday’s 2-0 Premier League defeat at Liverpool, but assistant coach Gianfranco Zola hopes he might be fit in time for the trip to Manchester United on April 28.
“It doesn’t look as bad as we first thought,” said Zola, standing in for Sarri, who had an operation on a tooth on Wednesday.
“I think there’s a strong possibility we’ll see him for Manchester United. He’s a warrior and he won’t want to miss a game like that.”
