Chelsea 9 Fear that the curse has struck again.
When Chelsea signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona On the final day of last summer, he was brought in as a centre-forward who barely touched the ball, let alone scored goals. Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgian striker, who is now on loan at Inter Milan, has struggled to fit into Chelsea’s style of play and expressed his displeasure in an unannounced interview with Sky Sport Italia.
That incident overshadowed Chelsea’s first home game of 2022A high profile fixture against Liverpool. Lukaku was left out of the squad by then manager Thomas Tuchel as punishment and the damage was done when he issued a public apology.
Here we are 12 months later and it’s Aubameyang’s turn to talk for the wrong reasons after Chelsea’s opening home game of the calendar year.
Aubameyang did not express his displeasure to the media in the way Lukaku did, but his anger was palpable as he was replaced by coach Graham Potter after 68 minutes after coming on as a substitute during the 1-0 defeat. Manchester City.
When the fourth official put down Aubameyang’s number, the 33-year-old shook his head in disbelief on more than one occasion and barely acknowledged Potter as he walked past him to take his place in the dugout.
Aubameyang wouldn’t be the last player to react in this way in this scenario. This is the most embarrassing thing that can happen to a footballer. But it exposed his frustration.
Potter did his best to play down the incident, saying: “Players want to stay on the pitch and influence the game. It’s a normal reaction.” But what cannot be doubted is Aubameyang’s form, and lack of it, which is the bigger problem.
East Arsenal The captain has played 10 times for Chelsea without scoring. He has only found the net three times for the club. That run came back in October Crystal Palace and against two games AC match.
More worryingly, he didn’t look like ending the drought. It’s not like he missed one opportunity after another. He registered no shots while on the pitch against City and had just one touch (14 in total) in the opposition penalty area.
This has been keeping his output to eight goalless games Premier League. He mustered just five attempts on goal in those games, only two of which were on target – one in a draw at Brentford and the other in a defeat. Brighton.
As Lukaku showed in a Chelsea shirt, Aubameyang’s further problem is that when he’s not scoring, it’s hard to see what else he contributes. The experienced player, who was released by Arsenal last January, is not involved enough in the regular game. This was highlighted when he touched the ball eight times in November’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal. That was the last occasion Potter named him in the first XI.
In the five games that followed, V. Armando BrozaHe led the line twice and more clearly, out for the season with a knee injury. Kai Havertz Potter has been the option of choice in the last three.
Potter made a point to highlight what important qualities Havertz brings to the role after scoring against him Bournemouth last week The comments seemed significant regarding Aubameyang’s situation. He said: “As a nine, he (Havertz) gives you flexibility and changeability in the game. He can drop inside but he can threaten the back line and he can score goals. So I like him in that position.
“With the period we had, we had to adapt some things. It’s good to get that clarity (on the position), but sometimes it’s not possible. Players are versatile in terms of their qualities so they can play in some positions. And Kai is one of them.
“I have to decide (team selection) based on what I think every day in training and Kai has scored and played for the German national team, and looking at his goal record there, it’s elite level. When he plays there, he scores goals and he contributes to the team. Also given.
Tuchel revealed that Chelsea players have been reluctant to take the number 9 shirt in the past as all players have struggled not to wear it. Along with Lukaku, other big strikers who have been burdened by it include Fernando Torres, Alvaro Morata and Gonzalo Higuain.
Where to go now? athletic…
It is to Aubameyang’s credit that he has shown the confidence others have lacked to take the number. After actually signing he declared: “I have unfinished business in the Premier League.”
Aubameyang will still get more chances to play this season despite his pick’s fitness, but it looks increasingly likely as a backup to Havertz. It will be difficult for him to accept this.
What happens from there is open to debate. Chelsea, who were reluctant to buy him days before completing the deal (they paid €11.5 million. Marcos Alonso Barcelona (going on a free transfer) gave him a two-year contract with an option for another 12 months.
They have accepted the terms RB Leipzig to sign Christopher Nkunku in summer They added David Datrow Fofana From Molde this month and looking at other targets to strengthen the attack.
Fofana arrives from Molde (Photo: Maria Jose Segovia/Defody Images via Getty Images)
One of the reasons Chelsea are 10th in the Premier League is a lack of goals. They have scored just 20 times in 17 games, the 12th-best record in the top division. Even struggling Leeds United and Leicester City There is more.
In Chelsea and Aubameyang’s defence, the injury woes they have suffered this season have meant their best XIs have rarely been on the pitch and this has prevented them from developing any rhythm or composure. Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic Joined the 10 absentee list after the opening game against City Mason Mount Suffering a knock in training the previous day.
“It’s one of those things right now,” Potter said. “I’ve never experienced anything like this and I ideally don’t want to experience it here. But whatever it is, I just have to keep going.
“Obviously, the expectation is where it is. You want to be here, have all your players available, have a fully fit squad, and be able to compete. It’s frustrating for everyone right now.”
But no one is more frustrated with how things are going than Aubameyang.
(Top photo: Ryan Pierce/Getty Images)
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