Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has seemingly criticised Chelsea following his departure from the club after a disastrous 11-month spell.
The former Arsenal captain join the Blues from Barcelona in September last year, but he went on to make only 15 Premier League appearances – scoring just one goal.
Aubameyang suffered from a change in the dugout almost immediately after his arrival at Stamford Bridge, as Thomas Tuchel was sacked and replaced by Graham Potter – but, speaking to the media after being officially unveiled as a Marseille player, the 34-year-old appeared to hint at other reasons behind his lack of game time.
“I think it’s simple to explain,” Aubameyang told reporters when asked why he was unable to replicate his prolific Barca form in a Chelsea shirt. “The manner in which I was received by both the players and the staff, at Chelsea, the context was a bit different. Because I arrived at Chelsea in no small part due to Thomas Tuchel [who he had previously played under at Borussia Dortmund], and a week later, he had been sacked.
“So the two contexts were not at all similar; it was not easy for me, and that had an influence. From there [the change of manager], I basically didn’t play anymore. And then later, there were problems of a different nature that were not my fault.”
Aubameyang signed a three-year deal with Marseille towards the end of last month, returning to French football a decade after leaving Saint-Etienne for Dortmund.
The Gabon international could make his debut in next Wednesday’s Champions League qualifier first leg away to Panathinaikos.
As for Chelsea, they have just made their seventh summer signing, completing a £25m deal to bring in goalkeeper Robert Sanchez from Brighton on Saturday.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side get their 2023/24 campaign underway at home to Liverpool next Sunday.
More Chelsea transfer news
Chelsea transfer news is coming thick and fast as we head towards the final few weeks of the summer window.
The Blues continue to be linked with Crystal Palace star Michael Olise – whose release clause has been revealed.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are said to have been offered Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic in a part-swap deal for outcast Romelu Lukaku.
But the two-time European champions could be beaten to top target Moises Caicedo, amid reports that Liverpool have outbid them for the Brighton midfielder.
