Chelsea MUST start Fofana after Aubameyang exit

James Shearman

• Updated: 9 Feb 2023 20:15 GMT
• 3 min read

David Datro Fofana should be starting up front for Chelsea in Saturday's Premier League game against West Ham.

Fofana came on for Mason Mount in the 75th minute of the Blues' 0-0 draw with Fulham and almost scored.

In 15 minutes, he showed more spirit than Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has in six months at the club.

MORE: From Sterling to Koulibaly: Grading Chelsea's summer transfer business

The former Arsenal striker is now on his way out of Chelsea, having been left out of the matchday squad against Fulham and the Champions League squad for the knockout rounds.

As he jets off to America to sign for Los Angeles FC, the opportunity arises for Fofana to be the Blues' number nine.

Armando Broja is Chelsea's only other natural striker and he is out for the season with an ACL injury.

While Kai Havertz should not only be dropped from the side, but never return to the lineup as a centre-forward.

The German might be tall, but he lacks the physicality that the two great Chelsea strikers of the 21st century have had - Didier Drogba and Diego Costa.

20-year-old Fofana can't be expected to replicate their levels of performance straight away but at least he has the physical tools.

The Ivorian has the potential to be a Premier League striker; Havertz does not.

Aubameyang to LAFC

Chelsea are close to offloading Aubameyang, according to reports, with the Gabon international nearing a deal with LAFC.

Aubameyang arrived at Chelsea in a shock move from Barcelona late in the summer transfer window, having only signed from Arsenal months prior.

He has since found himself on the periphery at Stamford Bridge and CBS reporter Ben Jacobs tells FootballTransfers that he is deciding whether he is ''sick enough of Chelsea'' to leave.

A suitable club has been difficult to find for Aubameyang because he has already played for two teams this season, having turned out for Barcelona at the beginning of the campaign.

Although FIFA regulations state that a player can only feature for two clubs in any given season, because the MLS campaign runs in a calendar year instead of the traditional European season of August to May, this transfer is possible.