Olivier Giroud admits a Chelsea transfer ban could strengthen his position at the club

Chelsea were last month banned by Fifa from registering new players until the summer of 2020 for breaching rules in relation to youth players

Olivier Giroud believes his position at Chelsea will be strengthened if the club fails to overturn its recent transfer ban.

Chelsea were last month banned by Fifa from registering new players until the summer of 2020 for breaching rules in relation to youth players. The world governing body said it found breaches in 29 cases out of 92 investigated.

The Premier League club has appealed against the two-window transfer ban to the Fifa Appeal Committee. The case will be put forward at a hearing on 11 April.

Should Chelsea’s appeal prove unsuccessful, the club will be unable to reinforce their frontline options, leaving Giroud, whose contract expires at the end of the season, in a position of relative strength.

“At the club we still need to wait to see regarding if we will have the opportunity to get some players [in the next transfer windows],” said Giroud.

“If not the club will be blocked and maybe then they will need me more and to offer me something. I am very happy there, but it all depends on a few things so we will see.”

Giroud has been linked with a move back to France but the 32-year-old insists he is happy at Chelsea and now wants to focus on the race for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

“The French media have made too much of some comments from me trying to push me into a move to Lyon,” he said.

“I am staying objective, and if I can stay at Chelsea I will be happy – but I need to play more.

“For now we have a very big game against Cardiff now at the weekend. There are only eight matches to go, and going for the Champions League places we will be trying to win all of them.”