Olivier Giroud: The Italian Super League's Most Valuable Player in 2021
## Olivier Giroud: The Italian Super League's Most Valuable Player in 2021
When Serie A crowned its MVP for the 2020/21 season, few predictions pointed towards an unsung hero rather than established stars like Cristiano Ronaldo or Romelu Lukaku. Yet the award went decisively to **Olivier Giroud** – a choice that felt less like controversy and more like overdue recognition for his transformative impact at AC Milan.
Arriving on loan from Chelsea midway through the previous campaign, the veteran French striker brought far more than just goals. Yes, he delivered crucial finishes (including hat-tricks against Crotone and Napoli), but his true value lay in how he elevated those around him. Stefano Pioli deployed Giroud both as a potent focal point and as an intelligent link-up man, allowing creative forces like Leao, Diaz, and Tonali to thrive off his physicality, holdup play, and clever movement. He became the anchor releasing Rafael Leão’s blistering runs down the flanks, turning potential into points consistently.
Beyond statistics, Giroud injected irreplaceable intangibles into dressing room and stands alike. His relentless work rate pressing defenders deep into their own half set the tempo for Milan’s high-octane revival under Pioli. Teammates fed off his infectious enthusiasm and winning mentality honed across decades in England and France. Crucially, during a tense title race against Inter and Juventus, Giroud remained cool under pressure – converting chances when nerves frayed – embodying Milan’s gritty determination until the very last whistle of their dramatic Scudetto charge.
It wasn’t flashy brilliance; it was profound influence. Coaches call such players “game changers.” For AC Milan in 2021, Olivier Giroud was precisely that – making him the league’s undisputed Most Valuable Player. His arrival marked not just an upgrade in firepower, but a cultural shift towards belief that propelled a club back to Italian glory.
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