Olivier Giroud has explained how lockdown caused him to perform a U-turn over his Chelsea future.

The French World Cup winner came close to quitting the club for Inter Milan in January before he penned a year-long extension to remain at Stamford Bridge last month.

Speaking to the club’s website, Giroud said: “I very nearly left the club but I really think that God wanted me to stay at Chelsea.

“I like it here. I want to keep winning trophies and I want to continue to show the manager that he can count on me.

“Plus, with the whole coronavirus lockdown situation, I didn’t really feel comfortable with the idea of moving abroad and uprooting my family.

“I think a lot about our quality of life and we have a great setup here. I think a lot about my family now.”