Chiellini talks Giroud to LAFC, Milan replacement and Italy at Euro 2024

Giorgio Chiellini opened up about Oliver Giroud’s move to LAFC, what life is like at the MLS club and why Luciano Spalletti can make the difference for Italy at Euro 2024.

The 39-year-old Italian hung up his boots at the end of last year, closing out a 24-year playing career, and is now working as a development coach for Los Angeles FC. Many Juventus fans have called for the former defender to return to Turin in the summer.

Chiellini will soon find Giroud at LAFC, with the Milan veteran deciding to make the jump to the MLS for the closing stages of his playing career. Other familiar faces in the MLS for Serie A fans include Toronto FC duo Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi.

Chiellini interview

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Chiellini was first asked when he knew Giroud would be joining LAFC.

“In January we understood a lot, we were waiting for him, but the danger was that another offer would arrive. Don’t think that here he will get the same money as in Europe…”

He spoke about life in the American city.

“Time with the family, above all. In Turin, from August to May, I had lunch twice a year with my wife, here after a few weeks of family lunches she almost sent me back to training… Jokes aside, in MLS it’s about having fun and living well, there is less pressure.

One example above all, here you don’t go into a training retreat and for the match you come directly to the pitch. At first it’s strange, then you understand that it’s just different.”

Chiellini commented on what Giroud can bring to LAFC.

“He can score 20 goals a year and they’re happy, he’s not the type to score 50, he also needs the team. Then in Los Angeles he could also be an actor. For me, however, he will make the difference especially with his character.

“Because Giroud wants to win, he is a driving force, he will make his teammates grow as he did with Leao, Pulisic and others. Here mentality matters a lot. If you arrive with the presumption of being the best, you do badly. If you come to learn, you end up performing well. The person makes the difference.”

He was asked about the most striking part of Giroud.

“The fact that he won a decisive World Cup as a centre forward without scoring. For a number 9, it’s very difficult. Here is his greatness.”

Chiellini discussed what Milan will lose with the Frenchman’s exit.

“Yes, a lot. First Ibra left, then him, and they are blows that can be felt. Milan have an advantage, they knew it, they saw the danger coming.

“And I’ll tell you more, if Giroud had stayed, he would have found himself in a difficult situation. At the beginning it’s nice to help a young player grow, then you risk becoming cumbersome.”

He suggested a replacement for the veteran striker.

“In Italy the player who did best is certainly Zirkzee, even though I know that many like him. I already liked him at Parma, you could see that he had finishing, he was good. Then of course, there is an abyss between finishing and consistency.”

Chiellini reflected on this Serie A season.

“I think that Inter are the strongest team, without a doubt. Logically they won. For me they can open a cycle in the next two years, it will be hard for everyone also because Milan and Napoli, from what I read, will almost certainly change coaches.

“In six months almost all the coaches have changed or will change, impressive. And the first year with a new coach is always complex.

“I’m happy for Daniele (De Rossi, ed.) and Thiago (Motta, ed.). They are friends. Now I hope that Fabio (Cannavaro, ed.) survives with Udinese. The affection for them goes beyond everything.”

The former defender looked ahead to Italy’s European Championship campaign.

“The European Championship is strange, you need draws, matches, everything. I’m just saying that we have a great bonus, Spalletti.

“He is the ideal man. He is a guarantee and a hope, in a month he can create the perfect atmosphere, and this can help a lot. Italy are a group that are reforming themselves.”

Chiellini spoke about what else is needed.

“Luck. This team have everything to get through, then it also depends on fate. If Arnautovic’s nose hadn’t been offside, our feat might not have happened.”

He believes Federico Chiesa can make the difference.

“Yes, Federico can be decisive in every play, few like him create chances out of nothing.”

The former Juventus man also touched on some other possible stars at the tournament.

“I will never stop being a defender at heart, so I choose Buongiorno and Calafiori, who did very well this season.

“Calafiori can be an alternative to Bastoni, while Buongiorno has something of Acerbi, he has no international experience, but he is already a mature player, however, I don’t expect any big surprises.”

Chiellini spoke about his plans for the future.

“In mid-July we all return to Livorno for the summer, then to Turin for school. My wife missed her family and I understand her, even if it would have been interesting to continue here.”

He expects to continue working as a director and not a coach.

“This is my world and yes, I imagine myself as a director, not a coach, scout or sporting director. I’ve seen many people change their minds along the way and that’s okay, but now I see myself in this role, I’d like to explore the business linked to football.

“Until six months ago I still had the mind of a footballer but not now, I’m having many interesting meetings related to the business and commercial area.”

Finally, Chiellini ruled out any nostalgia for his life as a player.

“No, come on, the pitch is always inside me but now I see myself more at the club than on the pitch. It changes, that’s life.”