The FIFA World Cup in Qatar is nearing its conclusion. Argentina, Croatia, France, and Morocco are on the cusp of glory provided they keep their heads straight and persevere through the last leg of this revered tournament.
The French received an early blow in Qatar after Karim Benzema bowed out of the tournament because of an injury, but since his departure, Olivier Giroud has stepped up and provided the goods for his nation.
The French number nine became France’s all-time leading goal scorer and currently is behind compatriot Kylian Mbappe for most goals in the World Cup.
The same glorious statement couldn’t be made for Harry Kane, who is now contemplating life after a penalty miss that cost England dearly in the World Cup.
Since England’s expulsion, a fiery Twitter debate has surfaced which pits Kane against Giroud, especially when the ex-Arsenal striker scored the winning goal to lead France into the semi-finals.
The two strikers are on opposite ends of their careers. Giroud is now an ageing striker, close to the end of his career, while Kane, seven years younger than him, has much to fulfil.
Giroud was once a Premier League forward with Arsenal and then Chelsea but eventually moved to AC Milan in Serie A, but unlike Kane, Giroud’s illustrious career is filled with a cabinet full of trophies.
A UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Puskas Award, multiple FA Cups, and English Super Cups and to top it off, he’s a World Cup winner with France.
This alone leaves Kane in the dust.
The renaissance of Olivier Giroud with the national team also favours the Frenchman in the Kane v/s Giroud debate.
He’s a man who has been around Europe and won competitions rather than staying at one club and putting out performances season after season with no concrete results.
This was one side of the argument by Giroud’s fanbase and it was only natural for the Spurs fans to rush in to save face for Kane.
For them, silverware is not the only criterion to judge a player or his career.
For these Kane loyalists, the Englishman has better technical abilities than the Frenchman. Scoring 20 odd goals in a Premier League season three times or more is not something Giroud can associate with.
Plus, Kane has been a leader for Tottenham Hotspur and England. Remove him from both teams, and you will find them struggling.
Remove Giroud from the French side and AC Milan, and they will still thrive. This is the value that the 29-year-old Spurs striker brings to the table.
The parameters of comparison may vary but at this hour, Giroud has a slight lead in this debate as France head for another World Cup semi-final. But when the club season resumes, rest assured that the tables might turn in favour of England’s number nine, Harry Kane.