World Cup 2018: Didier Deschamps moulding Olivier Giroud into Stephan Guivarc’h, 20 years on from 1998

Just like France's 1998 hero, Giroud is yet to score in this World Cup, but it doesn't make him any less important that other members of the squad

If you were to say the name of Stephan Guivarc’h to most people outside France, it wouldn’t exactly bring much reverence. He has instead become a bit of trivia, something that almost seems a trick of the mind, renowned as one of the worst players to ever start and win a World Cup final. Yet that a striker of such limitations - and such a limited supply of goals - can start for a team of such talent only serves to further emphasise such talent. They won the World Cup despite a striker that didn’t score once.

For Olivier Giroud, however, the name of Guivarc’h means something else. Whatever about reverence, it is a reference.

Like Guivarc’h, Giroud hasn’t scored a single goal in the tournament yet, and barely had a chance. Like Guivarc’h, Giroud’s role at the forefront of the attack can seem so jarring in a side otherwise filled with so much genuine talent. The Chelsea striker is the odd man out - but that’s kind of the point.

Just like Guivarc’h, he has an important tactical role in the team that brings more talented stars into play, and means no one actually important in the French set-up cares if he doesn’t score. The player’s importance to Didier Deschamps is meanwhile only emphasised by two other figures beyond the goals. Giroud has had more minutes than anyone else in the manager’s tenure, and supplied three assists in this World Cup. Deschamps - who has specifically taken much from the 1998 win that he captained - has also explained the role to Giroud in detail.

“You know, when you are a striker like me, you always play for the teammates. Obviously I prefer to have chances and score, but if I can make space for the others, you know, I always try to choose the best option for the team. That's the main thing. I think when France was world champions in 1998, I think Dugarry scored one goal and Guivarc'h not at all. If we are World Cup champions without me scoring, I don't mind. It means, if I'm on the pitch, the boss thinks I can help the team. I've got my part to play. I try to make space for my teammates.”

While Giroud is so much more selfless than most players in a position that generally warrants selfishness, that isn’t to say goals aren’t on his mind. There were a few moments from the 2-0 win over Uruguay that meant he had some playful rebukes for his teammates.

(AFP/Getty Images)

“It’s true I haven't had too many chances,” Giroud said after the game. “[Against Uruguay], I could have maybe had my fourth assist if Kylian [Mbappe] takes his time in the first half. Second half, I could have received the ball, [Corentin] Tolisso preferred to shoot, you know, I'm still happy because no matter if I score or not, it was a very, very tough game. Compact. I try to give my best for the team. I keep the goals for the semi-final and maybe the final.”

His manager only backed up this view.

“It’s true Olivier hasn’t scored yet. I repeat yet. He is important for our style. In the last game he made assists for Mbappe, we need this supporting play. It’s good if he scores but Olivier is always very generous and doesn’t complain about working hard. He might not have the flamboyant style but the team needs him even if he doesn’t score. His game is in the air and defence. He does many things, it is the players around him that benefit. He attracts a lot of attention from the defenders near to him.”

And that frees up Mbappe, who has blown Giroud away as much as anyone else.

“I think it's very interesting when he starts from far [back]. Right side, he can use his best qualities, his skills, and obviously with this speed he's very precious for us, and we don't run, we play, we try to combine more central, and after he can run in behind. We've got different qualities up front, and a good understanding, very complementary.”

It could yet be good enough for a first World Cup since 1998 - even if it’s not the first time we’ve seen a role like Giroud’s.