- 10 hours ago
Graham Potter can't wait to get rid of unprofessional Aubameyang
Stuart Telford
- 21 Mar 2023 19:20 GMT
- 3 min read
Graham Potter will be 'thanking his lucky stars' when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaves Chelsea according to Stan Collymore.
The relationship between Chelsea and former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looks to be over before it has really had chance to start.
Aubameyang - alongside Denis Zakaria - was the final signing of the Thomas Tuchel era last summer before the German tactician was replaced as head coach by Potter.
READ: 'Chelsea stars talking behind Potter's back about Aubameyang'
Tuchel had previously managed Aubameyang at Borussia Dortmund, but their reunion lasted less than an hour of football before the former departed.
Aubameyang has only made four Premier League starts since, and the Gabonese striker was only a La Liga rule away from making a return to Barcelona this winter - the club not allowed to register the same player twice in a single season.
But that hasn't stopped Aubameyang from joining Barca's celebrations following Sunday's 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the Clasico.
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, almost out of Chelsea project, was in Barcelona’s dressing room after Real Madrid game 🔵🔴🤝🏻 #FCB
Auba has still excellent relationship with Barça players, board and Xavi.
He wanted to return in January but it was not possible due to FIFA rules. pic.twitter.com/5KjPpbz8gH— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 20, 2023
READ: Flop Aubameyang leaves Chelsea hours after Everton draw to watch Clasico
What did Collymore say?
"What can you say about the photo Ferran Torres shared of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrating with the Barcelona squad after they beat Real Madrid on Sunday? - it's shambolic," Collymore told CaughtOffside.
"A lot of younger fans will say 'what's the problem?' - but it's not right. This is an elite-level competitive sport - you do not cross certain boundaries and celebrating another team's victory inside their dressing room is an absolute no-no.
"He's a Chelsea player so while he's there, he should be coming across as blue through and through but he doesn't. He doesn't really stand for anything, he's ubiquitous. He's primed to disappear into the Middle East and Graham Potter will probably be thanking his lucky stars."
Barca remain favourited to sign Aubameyang if he can be re-signed on a free next summer, but even a nominal transfer fee could prove prohibitively expensive with the club having been told by La Liga to reduce their debt by €200m ahead of next season.
