Aubameyang’s end at Chelsea? When a substitute is taken off the game, it’s a no-brainer, thinks Merson

When Chelsea signed Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Arsenal fans frowned, now they are laughing. The Gabonese speedster is struggling, he was even substituted last week despite going in alone from the bench.

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang arrived at Chelsea in the summer from Barcelona. He was at least numerically successful at the Catalan club and the Blues fans trusted him. And he started well, scoring the decisive goal in the 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on his league debut.

But since then, he’s only struck twice in the Champions League. Otherwise, nothing. Aubameyang has become a substitute, even though Chelsea’s offense is plagued by injuries. Mason Mount has been out, Armando Broja is injured.

In the last league game against Manchester City, he came on in the 5th minute as Raheem Sterling was injured. Still, he didn’t finish the game, on the contrary, he was the first home player to go off in the 68th minute, leaving aside the enforced changes.

“Once the coach takes a 30-year-old player out of the game who went on as a substitute in the first half, it’s probably over,” former England international Paul Merson told Sky Sports.

In defence of coach Graham Potter, the Gabonese striker did not get into the game at all. He touched the ball 13 times and didn’t get a proper chance. When he left the field, the Blues were more dangerous with their young attack.

“Maybe you can do that to a young player, but in football it’s an unwritten rule. It’s not done. Potter did it to a 33-year-old player. For me, it’s Aubameyang’s end,”

For the next game (again with Manchester City, this time away in the FA Cup) Aubameyang did not travel with the team at all. The club justified it with health problems, the Blues got 0::4.

The steep decline of Aubameyang’s career since the start of last season continues. He has alienated Arsenal fans and after a decent six months at Barcelona, he is on fire at Chelsea. Do they want him on? If so, he clearly needs to work hard.

Source: Sky Sports