03 February 2023 , 20:46
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Chelsea future is in major doubt having been left out of their Champions League squad - with the striker said to be 'shocked and disappointed' after receiving the news.
The former Arsenal striker was only signed last summer, reuniting with then manager Thomas Tuchel. But following Tuchel’s departure and Graham Potter’s appointment, he has found his playing time gradually decreased.
And it has now been confirmed that Aubameyang is one of the players to come out of the Blues’ squad for the knock-out stages in Europe. Potter had to shuffle his deck for the latter stages of the Champions League after an unprecedented January spending spree.
Owner Todd Boehly sanctioned a record-breaking £337million-worth of transfers, including a British record £105m on Enzo Fernandez. In total, eight players were brought in last month but only three were allowed to be included in the 25-man squad.
Fernandez and Mykhaylo Mudryk, who cost a combined £193m are now both eligible to play against Borussia Dortmund later this month, as is loanee Joao Felix. Meanwhile, Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madeuke, Andrey Santos, David Datro Fofana have all been omitted.
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But in order to register the new trio, one pre-January player had to be cut, with Aubameyang the unfortunate party. And report that decision took the 33-year-old by surprise. It is claimed his response was one of 'shock' and 'disappointment', and he is now convinced the club want to sell him this summer.
Aubameyang was also left out of Chelsea ’s matchday squad to face Fulham in the Premier League, despite remaining on that list for the second half of the campaign. And rather than attending the west London derby, he was appeared to have left the country to head to Milan.
Aubameyang's was pictured in Milan shortly before Chelsea vs Fulham (Instagram/willy.aubameyang)The striker’s brother, Willy, uploaded a snap with Pierre-Emerick in front of the Duomo di Milano, although it is not clear when the picture was taken. Technically, Aubameyang could secure an exit before the summer, with some transfer windows around the world remaining open.
However, having already appeared for Chelsea and Barcelona this season, he is not allowed to turn out for a third player until the conclusion of this campaign. Potter admitted that managing such a large squad of senior players was proving a difficult challenge and that it was probably too bloated as it stands.
“That’s a challenge, there’s no point denying that because players want to play, and when they’re not playing they’re disappointed - naturally - and you have to acknowledge that and help them with that, and then try and create an environment,” he told Sky Sports before kick-off against Fulham.
Aubameyang believes Chelsea want him out of the club (BBC Sport)“It’s not so simple, but there’s healthy competition, we need to try and win our games, we need to try to progress in the Champions League, we need to try to involve everybody, because everybody is going to be important. We can’t win with 11, but maybe 33 is pushing it a little.”
Asked if he felt the new signings meant Chelsea were starting again, Potter added: “You always learn as you go along. I don’t think it’s as simple as starting again, every game, every day is a time to learn.
“You have mistakes, you have defeats, you have to pick yourself up and go again - all for development - it’s vital to grow, so we don’t feel like that. When you’ve got new players it’s normal that you have to try and gel and then you’ll find things out as you go, and that’s the process we’re in. It’s really exciting.”