Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has urged Gary Cahill not to leave the London based club in January.

Cahill has been linked with a move to Turkish giants Galatasaray in recent weeks.

Gala also made an offer for the 32-year-old during the summer transfer window but Cahill opted to remain at Chelsea.

Giroud believes Cahill still has a major role to play in Chelsea’s team despite falling down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

The former England international has played just 21 minutes of Premier League football for Chelsea this season.

“I think his heart is still in Chelsea and hopefully we will keep him because we need him,” Giroud was quoted as saying by the Standard.

“He needs to be happy, that is the main thing, but I hope he stays because he is important for us.

“He is a very good player. He’s been at Chelsea for six years, he is one of the faces of Chelsea and one of our captains. We need him.”

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has made David Luiz and Rudiger his first choice partnership in central defence.

Cahill – who has under nine months remaining on his contract – could feature for Chelsea tonight when they take on their rivals Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.

Galatasaray meanwhile take on their title rivals Basaksehir in the Turkish Super Lig on Friday evening.