Graham Potter has insisted that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has a future at Chelsea despite leaving the striker out of his squad for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Aubameyang has failed to impress since joining from Barcelona last summer and it seems unlikely he will be at Chelsea next season. The striker was shocked by Potter’s decision to omit him from his Champions League squad – João Félix, Kai Havertz, Armando Broja and David Datro Fofana were named as the forward options – and there have been suggestions he could join LAFC on a short-term loan.
Doubts have grown over whether Aubameyang, who was also absent for Chelsea’s goalless draw with Fulham in the Premier League last week, fits into Potter’s style. However the former Arsenal player has a chance of being involved for Saturday’s trip to West Ham. The 33-year-old has been back in training this week and his attitude has impressed Potter, who stressed that Aubameyang was not in a “terminal” situation.
“In my job every player while they are here is important,” Potter said. “Every player should understand their situation and be treated with respect and then it’s their decision how to act and he has acted fantastically. He really has.
“We have got João, we have Kai, we have got David. We thought we wanted to get more of a look at them in the short term. But that’s not to say it’s a terminal situation for Pierre. We had to be honest with him and give him time. That was why he was out of the previous match. But while he is here it’s not to say that will always be the case.”
Aubameyang has scored only three goals for Chelsea, who have struggled in the final third. Potter, whose side face Borussia Dortmund in the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday, was asked whether the return of Félix from a three-match ban would help his team against West Ham.
“He is a very gifted individual and then it’s about how he fits in with the rest of the guys in the team,” he said. “If we’re going to be successful it’s about the team attacking better and defending better.”
With Raheem Sterling injured there could be another chance for Mykhaylo Mudryk. The £88.8m winger was substituted at half-time against Fulham.
Meanwhile, Thiago Silva has signed a one-year contract extension at Chelsea and will play for the club beyond his 39th birthday.
The Brazil defender remains a vital part of Potter’s team and has decided to prolong his stay in London. Silva’s contract was due to expire at the end of the season but Chelsea were determined not to let him leave on a free transfer. Talks over a new deal moved amicably and an agreement was reached on Friday.
Silva has impressed for Chelsea since joining them on a free transfer in 2020. He helped them win the Champions League during his first season and has adjusted well to the speed of the Premier League. The 38-year-old has used his positional sense and timing to mask any lack of pace.
“I am honestly so happy to continue my career with the Blues,” Silva said. “When I signed my first contract here, it was to just do one year. Now it is already the fourth. I could not have imagined that, but really it is a very special moment for me to sign and stay at Chelsea.”
