Graham Potter’s decisions to leave Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of the Champions League and recent games were made together with the Chelsea board, according to The Telegraph.
Aubameyang’s exclusion in the Champions League and matchday squads in recent games has increasingly been scrutinised by the fans and the media.
It is easy to see why. Chelsea have been on frustratingly poor goalscoring form, and the retired Gabon international is one of the only two available recognised strikers in the squad.
With hindsight, it seems obvious that Potter should have kept Aubameyang, who is — or at least was — a natural goalscorer in the squad, even if it was to have him as an option on the bench.
However, The Telegraph claims that Potter is not solely responsible for this decision.
Many big decisions, including Aubameyang’s exclusion, have reportedly been taken in collaboration with the board.
This clearly suggests that the former Barcelona striker is neither in Potter’s plans nor the club’s.
Bear in mind that Fabrizio Romano recently claimed that Aubameyang is one of the four players whom Chelsea are prepared to sell this summer.
The 33-year-old has also not made a very good case for himself, too.
He has scored three goals in all competitions for the Blues so far this season, including one in 11 appearances (four starts) in the Premier League.
Speaking about Aubameyang’s absence in Saturday’s defeat to Southampton, Potter was aware of the negative reactions.
“We had Kai [Havertz] and Raheem [Sterling] coming on, but when you don’t score – when you’re creating chances – I understand the question,” he said in his post-match press conference at the weekend.
“I would say keep doing what he’s doing.”
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
