Giroud expects a special night against Chelsea upon his return to Stamford Bridge

Mueez Ajao

– Former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has told his AC Milan team-mates how proud he is to return to Stamford Bridge with the Italian team.

– Giroud, 36, helped Milan win Serie A last season and they take on the Blues in the Champions League on Wednesday.

– Midfielder N’Golo Kante is back in training after a hamstring injury but is not expected to start the game.

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– Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is also pushing to begin the Group E match after recovering from a knee injury.

– Italy midfielder Jorginho and Germany forward Kai Havertz have trained, despite picking up knocks during the 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at the weekend.

– Milan are top of the group with four points from two games while Chelsea, who lost to Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 and then sacked manager Thomas Tuchel the following day, are bottom with one point.

– Giroud helped Chelsea win the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup during a four-season spell with the club before moving to Italy in 2021.

– “I hope to have a good welcome, because I spent a nice three and a half years here with trophies,” said Giroud. “I left the club in good terms, so let’s see. Hopefully.

– “I know the boys, I played there with so many of them, but they changed the manager so I don’t really know how they are going to play.

– “The pitch here is also wonderful, so I think it’s going to be a fantastic game.

– “When we were walking around the pitch I told my team-mates I’m very proud to come here with the great Milan to play in the Champions League, to play in our colours and to defend our badge.”