Number nine not a problem for Delap - Giroud

Former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud feels Stamford Bridge new boy Liam Delap should relish the attention that comes with the club's number nine shirt.

Delap has taken the nine even though it has a chequered past in the Premier League era, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Romelu Lukaku, Gonzalo Higuain, Fernando Torres and Radamel Falcao among the recent big names who have failed to impress.

Giroud revealed then technical director Paolo Maldini questioned his decision to take the number nine shirt at AC Milan, declaring it to be "cursed" because of the star signings, including Higuain and Torres, who had struggled wearing it.

The 38-year-old dismisses the notion a number can have a negative impact.

Ahead of his appearance for Major League Soccer outfit LAFC against Chelsea in the Club World Cup on Monday, Giroud feels £30m signing Delap needs to embrace the pressure.

"When I signed for AC Milan, Paolo Maldini asked me: 'Are you sure about the number nine because it's kind of cursed,'" said Giroud.

"I said it's not the number I have on my back which will make me good and score goals. I showed him there was no curse because I did well.

"Striker is the best position in football - but it is very demanding. You can be under the spotlight when things go really well, but you are the first on the frontline when you are not scoring goals.

"You have to show some character and strength mentality-wise. You need to be strong in your head and even in tough moments, stay confident and keep working hard.

"There are ups and downs and you need to be ready for that. If he's got a good mentality, and I think he's very talented, he'll be fine."