Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's future at Chelsea looks uncertain going into the final few months of the Premier League season. The striker returned to London to sign for the Blues last summer, but has struggled to make an impact since making the switch from Barcelona.
The 33-year-old has just one goal in 11 league appearances so far this campaign, falling towards being an option on the bench rather than a first-team option. Aubameyang would have pictured things going very differently, but the January window only brought more signings and players in the way of him making a start.
It all culminated towards the striker not being included in the new Champions League squad registration, missing out as Joao Felix took a place as a forward, with Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez also included in the three new additions they can make. It signals a tough time for the summer signing, with Graham Potter quizzed on his exclusion.
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"It was difficult because I am empathetic so I understand his [Aubameyang's] disappointment but I've got a responsibility to make these tough decisions and to articulate them as honestly and as well as I can to the player and then respect the fact that he's going to be disappointed. He's handled it very well, trained today fantastically which is what I would expect. He's been a top guy for us."
Despite that, things appear to be pointing towards an exit in the coming months, something that transfer expert Fabrizio Romano believes will be the plan. He wrote for CaughtOffside: "I think Aubameyang will 100% leave Chelsea in 2023, the plan is clear.”
He also added that a move to Barcelona in January wasn't possible due to rules, stating: "It was impossible for Barcelona to proceed due to FIFA rules, they like the player but nothing else because of official rules."
It remains to be seen what the future may hold for Aubameyang, but it seems as though whatever it may be, it won't be at Stamford Bridge.
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