Aubameyang Excluded From Potters’ Champions League Squad

Chelsea FC manager Graham Potter has decided to drop Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from his UEFA Champions League squad as the knockout stages of the elite European club competition are set to commence this February.

Aubameyang has struggled with form since making a summer move from FC Barcelona to the West London club. He has not made a single start for the Blues since November 2022 and was rumoured to have wanted a return to Barcelona during the January transfer window.

Potter’s decision to drop the former Arsenal captain from his European campaign is to make room for new signing Enzo Fernandez.

ALSO READ: AUBAMEYANG SAYS ARTETA CAN’T HANDLE BIG PLAYERS

The Argentinean star had an impressive 2022 World Cup campaign that saw him win the global football showpiece. Benfica were adamant about releasing their star man to Chelsea until the final day of the January transfer window.

Aubameyang’s removal from the Champions League squad comes as a bit of a shock because he has started all six of Chelsea’s matches in the competition and scored against AC Milan at Stamford Bridge and in Italy.

Potter also decided to drop January signing Benoit Badiashile from the European squad as Moroccan forward Hakim Ziyech keeps his place. The Blues manager registered Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk for the Champions League.

It will not be surprising if Aubameyang is unhappy at Chelsea, as players of his standard often fall out with managers if they fail to get regular playing time. The Gabonese man was signed by German tactician Thomas Tuchel, but he spent less time with his former Borussia Dortmund manager at Stamford Bridge before he was sacked.

Chelsea will commence their UEFA Champions League knockout campaign against Borussia Dortmund on February 15, 2023.
Source

LIB