Henry outlines Giroud talks as Chelsea striker closes on France goals record

Thierry Henry has claimed it will be "amazing" if Olivier Giroud eclipses his goalscoring record for France this summer.

Giroud is part of one of the most exciting forward lines in Euro 2020, playing alongside the likes of Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.

Benzema's return from the international wilderness does mean that Giroud could drop out of the starting line-up, after helping Les Bleus to the World Cup in Russia three summers ago.

However, he is still likely to play a key role under Didier Deschamps and has a chance to beat Henry's 51-goal haul for the French national team.

The Arsenal legend amassed his total in 123 games, while Giroud has played 16 less going into Wednesday's friendly with Wales.

But Henry, who has returned to the Belgium coaching fold, is backing his compatriot to break his record - and is firmly behind him doing so.

It would be great, a great achievement," Henry told Goal.

"Records are made to be broken. I often speak to him actually, whenever he scores a goal or two, and I always say to him 'well done', because he deserves it.

"In the past three or four years it seems like he's been struggling for starts with his team at club level, but whenever he plays - whether it's at club level or in the national team - he often delivers.

"And yes, I know people will tell me that he didn't score a goal at the World Cup, but at the end of the day he lifted the trophy so it doesn't really matter."

The 34-year-old is set to become a free agent at the end of the month and has yet to agree to an extension to remain at Chelsea.

There have been links with AC Milan and Henry believes that his qualities are unique in the modern game and could provide most teams with a valuable "different dimension".

"Olivier is the type of striker that is kind of dying right now," he added. "The old school, holding the ball up, passing the ball to the winger, getting into the box and breaking your neck to score with a header.

"But what I like is how he puts people in a game. He's very good, he will give the assist sometimes when you link up with him on a one-two.

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"He's that type of player and I think it's very good for the national team to have a different dimension to the other guys, who like to go in behind and go out to the wing and drop in.

"I think it's great for Didier Deschamps to have a striker like Olivier and if he goes on to beat the record, amazing."

Giroud and Benzema will go head-to-head to lead the France frontline and Deschamps has made the decision to sit the two veterans together in an attempt to smooth over any ill-feeling.

The Real Madrid marksmen was asked to compare himself to his compatriot in a social media Q & A back in March, to which he replied: "This won't take long. You don't confuse F1 with go-karting. And I'm being kind. Next… and I know I'm F1."