However, Graham Potter mercilessly removed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the 25-man list, therefore he has no place.
Later this month, the Blues will play in their next European match against Borussia Dortmund, but Aubameyang won’t take the field against one of his old teams.
Due in part to Aubameyang’s goals in Chelsea’s two triumphs over AC Milan, the team that finished first in their group was allowed to make three changes.
The 33-year-hopes old’s of making an impact under Potter, for whom he has failed to score a Premier League goal, have been dealt another blow by this most recent rebuff.
On the last day of the summer transfer window, the former Arsenal captain made a comeback to English football. However, his reunion with Thomas Tuchel lasted less than a week before the popular German was replaced by Todd Boehly.
Aubameyang had a promising start, but his play quickly fell apart, and he became openly furious after being humiliated by being substituted early in last month’s loss to Manchester City due to Raheem Sterling’s injury.
Due to a back injury, Aubameyang was forced to miss the following FA Cup match against the same opponents. He also did not play in the defeat at Fulham, where his team was in need of a goal to force a draw.
When asked at Thursday’s press conference whether he had chosen which players would make the cut, Potter responded, “We’ve got a little of time until we have to make the choice, but we’re aware of who we need to speak to.”
Since only 11 players can participate in games and only a specific number of people can be included in squads, there will inevitably be some uncomfortable questions and talks.
It’s about creating an environment where you respect the fact that people want to play, that players want to compete, and that they want to help the team, but they have to wait, be patient, and be prepared to play, perform, and help us win. It’s about being as honest, open, respectful, and transparent as you can.
Although Benoit Badiashile has had a good start to his Chelsea career, there is no room for him among the three additions who are perhaps the three most interesting of the eight Chelsea made during a busy January.
