Olivier Giroud has urged Gary Cahill to see his contract out at Chelsea and leave at the end of the season.
Cahill revealed last week that he hopes to find a new club in January – five months before his deal expires - after growing frustrated over a lack of first team football.
The England international finally made his first appearance of the season at West Ham on Sunday but only because Antonio Rudiger limped off with a suspected groin injury.
But Giroud believes Cahill, who has won six trophies in as many years at Chelsea, still has a big role to play as the club look to claim more silverware this term.
Giroud said: “I think his heart is still in Chelsea and hopefully we will keep him because we need him. 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."
However, Giroud sympathises with Cahill, who is feeling frustrated having fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
In Pictures | West Ham vs Chelsea | 23/09/18
New coach Maurizio Sarri has made David Luiz and Rudiger his first choice partnership in central defence, while youngsters Andreas Christensen and Ethan Ampadu are also highly rated and wanting game time.
Giroud added: “We have a lot of good players who can play in the starting XI. The problem is we have four-five centre backs and the coach made his choice.
“Gary is not in a good position because it is quite tough for him, he doesn’t play so much. I understand that he wants to play more. At one stage I was the same and I didn’t like that. As players, we are happy when we are on the pitch. “
